The Freer|Sackler reopened on October 14, 2017. The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery had closed on July 10, 2017, joining the Freer Gallery of Art, which had closed in January 2016.
The closures provided an opportunity to improve the visitor experience at the museums. The Freer has received substantial upgrades, and its galleries have been reimagined thematically. The Sackler has reopened with newly installed collections galleries. The wayfinding in both museums has been redesigned so that the buildings are more uniformly connected and provide a cohesive visitor experience. And our new audio app offers diverse voices and perspectives on the collections.
The Freer Gallery of Art’s design is unique. Founder Charles Lang Freer and architect Charles Platt incorporated such forward-thinking elements as adjustable skylights, human-scaled galleries, and a serene center courtyard—all calibrated to enhance the contemplation and understanding of beauty. While the Freer experience is truly timeless, occasional updates to the building’s infrastructure are necessary to ensure the care and enjoyment of its collection for the next century.
Throughout 2016 and 2017, we:
- replaced crucial climate control and humidity control systems with the latest technology
- refurbished the galleries with eco-friendly materials that mimic the look and feel of their original neoclassical aesthetic
- improved the visitor experience, from front desks to wayfinding
- enhanced the Meyer Auditorium as a performance and recording space
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