The expanded Crocker Art Museum is envisioned as a defining symbol and architectural icon for Sacramento and California. The Museum will serve as a gateway to the Capitol and a unique architectural landmark that combines historical elegance with contemporary style and grace. The design will acknowledge the Golden State’s history and promise of its future.
Internationally renowned Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects designed the expansion of the Crocker Art Museum after conducting a thorough master planning process. Master planning incorporated many voices from the community to ensure that the Crocker’s expansion would result in a world-class facility that would serve as an integral component of the region’s cultural and economic life.
A design was created that would boast classic, contemporary architecture, while enriching the visitor experience, paying tribute to the historic structure and significantly improving museum operations.
Designed from the Inside Out
A focal point of the master planning process was to ensure that the new building and the internal reconfiguration of the existing structures would greatly enrich the visitor experience.
Visitors will benefit from the numerous features of the New Crocker, but many aspects of the design will completely transform the experience of each visitor.
- A reception space with an accessible entrance, indoor/outdoor seating, a café, meeting rooms and free internet access creates a gracious gathering place for all and Sacramento’s largest living room.
- Dedicated programming space, including an education center, auditorium and meeting rooms allows for a greater number and variety of programs to alleviate the current standing-room-only program availability.
- A greater percentage of the permanent collection on view (increasing from less than 4% to approximately 20%) and the ability to accommodate larger traveling “blockbuster” exhibitions exposes visitors to more diverse artworks, ensuring that there is something for everyone.
- A new 7,000-square-foot courtyard will flank the reception space and connect to the existing 14,500-square-foot courtyard, allowing for large-scale indoor/outdoor events, seating up to 1,200 for dinner.
Classic Contemporary Design Pays Tribute to Historic Architecture
The new building is designed to maintain the Art Gallery Building as the architectural jewel and centerpiece of the complex.
The design pays tribute to the historic structure in several ways:
- Creates a new tripartite composition with the historic Art Gallery Building as the centerpiece
- Respects the width and height dimensions of the historic structure and emulates certain design elements including the three-story structure, porches, window placement and curved planes
- Separates the new building from the historic with an outdoor Courtyard and offers a glass-enclosed reception area, where the visitor can experience both architectural styles simultaneously
- Uses a calm color palette and features a variety of planes as not to overwhelm the existing architecture
Moving into the 21st Century
The Crocker staff functions at high levels despite limited facilities in the current structure. Imagine the program and exhibition potential when the Museum’s operations move into the 21st century.
The new building and reconfigured interior of the existing structures will create:
- More ideal collection care, moving art storage from below grade where it is susceptible to flooding to higher ground
- A dedicated home for each part of the collection for the first time in the Museum’s history. For instance, a works on paper study center will enable easier access for visiting scholars who request the opportunity to view our world-famous master drawings
- A loading dock and freight elevator for easier and higher standards of art handling
- Dedicated staff offices to house the 40+ Museum employees; the current building was configured for 1 staff member
- A catering kitchen and café to service the numerous social events hosted by the Museum and outside parties
