Krannert Art Museum

Champaign, Ill. --- Krannert Art Museum, in partnership with Facilities & Services at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, is preparing to embark on a major construction project to address deferred maintenance and provide long-overdue efficiency upgrades. 

The project will involve replacement of the roof, installation of insulated windows with bird-friendly glass, and sealing the building envelope. An additional LED conversion, partially supported by a major grant from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation Climate Initiative, will end long-standing inefficiencies to make KAM more environmentally sound.

During this work, the main-floor 1961 footprint of Krannert Art Museum will remain open, including the modern and contemporary art gallery "Art Since 1948," two special exhibition spaces, and the African collection gallery "Encounters: The Arts of Africa."  The museum's largest special exhibition space, the East Gallery will also remain open for short-term exhibitions, including this spring's MFA and BFA shows with the School of Art & Design. 

Beginning December 22, the Kinkead Pavilion portion of the building will be closed, including first-floor galleries that display historical European and American art, the Contemporary Gallery, restrooms and elevators; lower-level galleries and the Giertz Education Center; and the upstairs museum offices. Art in impacted collection galleries will be moved to storage prior to the closure, beginning in mid-November with the Ancient Andean gallery on the lower level.

During the Kinkead Pavilion closure, building restrooms will be open on the lower level only, off the lobby. Accessible restrooms will be located down the hall on the first floor of the School of Art & Design. The KAM Auditorium and all lower level galleries will be closed to the public until elevator access is restored.

Link Gallery Ramp Construction

During spring semester 2024, KAM, the School of Art & Design, and Facilities & Services will also begin an accessibility upgrade to make the original Peabody Drive entrance and Link Gallery accessible, adding a ramp at the front of the building. During construction, accessible entry to Art & Design and KAM will be via the ramp at the North entrance to the Link (the back of the building), nearest to the Siebel Center of Design. Signage and maps will be provided to direct visitors. 

Updates to construction plans and information on the Grand Reopening Celebration in 2025 will be available on the KAM website. If you have questions, please contact us. 

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