LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y.- On January 23, 2008, The Noguchi Museum embarks on the second phase of its multi-stage renovation and conservation project, intended to ensure the ongoing stability of the Museum building while better enabling it to meet the needs of its growing audience and exhibition program. Construction is scheduled to conclude in early September 2008.

During this period, the Museum’s sculpture garden will be wholly or partially closed. However—with the exception of January 23 to 30, when the building will be closed in preparation for construction—the Museum itself will remain open, and exhibition, education, and public programs will continue, with access for visitors provided via a temporary entrance on Vernon Boulevard.

Founded and designed by Isamu Noguchi in 1985 to house his art and archive, The Noguchi Museum contains the preeminent collection of the artist’s work. Since 2004, this has been complemented and contextualized by a program of temporary exhibitions. The Museum building itself is regarded by many as among Noguchi’s greatest works, and the goal of the renovation is to preserve his vision for it.

The Renovation - The Noguchi Museum began plans for extensive renovation in the 1990s, when it was discovered that, over the course of time, the building, which is located in close proximity to the East River, had settled unevenly, putting stress on the brick walls. The first phase of the renovation began in 2002 and took two-and-a-half years, during which time the Museum operated out of temporary quarters. Work completed during this phase included ensuring the building’s structural integrity and handicap-accessibility; redesigning and relocating the shop and café; adding heating and cooling systems, which enabled the Museum to remain open year-round for the first time; and creating new space in the basement for education and public programs and for on-site storage. Upon reopening in spring 2004, the Museum initiated its program of temporary exhibitions.

This second phase of the renovation builds upon the earlier work, completing the structural stabilization and climate control—which will better enable the Museum to borrow works for its exhibition program—and rebuilding the Museum entrance, to accommodate a seating area, in order better to serve visitors. In addition, the garden wall will be replaced, and the garden systems will be upgraded. The renovation of The Noguchi Museum is designed by Sage and Coombe Architects.

Funding - The second phase of the Museum’s renovation is made possible through support from the City of New York capital budget. Commitments have been made by the Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of the City of New York; Hon. Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President; the Queens Delegation of the City Council, led by the Hon. Leroy Comrade; and local council members Hon. Peter Vallone, Jr. and Hon. Eric Gioia.

The Noguchi Museum - Occupying a 1927 building once used for the manufacture of printing plates, The Noguchi Museum was a pioneer in the transformation of Long Island City into a vital cultural destination. It is the only museum in the U.S. founded by an artist specifically for the display of his or her work. Intimately scaled, the Museum offers New York City residents and visitors alike both a place of respite and a rich aesthetic experience, thanks not only to Noguchi’s work, but also to its installation in the raw industrial space of the building.

The Museum comprises ten indoor galleries and an internationally celebrated outdoor sculpture garden. Since its founding, it has exhibited a comprehensive selection of the artist’s works in stone, metal, wood, and clay, as well as models for public projects and gardens, dance sets, and his Akari Light Sculptures. Together, this installation and the Museum’s diverse special exhibitions offer a rich, contextualized view of Noguchi’s work and illuminate his influential legacy of innovation.