Hudson Valley’s Storm King Art Center reopens after $53M renovation
An entrance path connects the Outdoor Lobby and visitor pavilions to Storm King’s grounds. Artwork: Chakaia Booker, “A Moment in Time,” 2004. Photo © Richard Barnes
Storm King Art Center, the popular 500-acre outdoor museum in the Hudson Valley, reopened this week following a $53 million renovation and expansion. The sculpture museum’s first-ever capital project, a response to its rapid visitor growth, added five acres of landscape for art, a new visitor arrival area with more accessible amenities, streamlined parking, and a conservation and fabrication building. Storm King officially opens for the season on Wednesday, May 7.
“I am thrilled to welcome visitors back to Storm King as we unveil the completed capital project and open an exciting exhibition season,” Nora Lawrence, executive director of Storm King, said.
“This project has resulted in thoughtfully designed spaces that elevate and enhance what Storm King does best–provide people with a singular experience of art in nature. It embodies our mission and commitment to a sustainable future, ensuring that Storm King can thrive and share that experience with generations to come.”
The project is the first major renovation by the museum since its founding in 1960. The plan was unveiled in 2022, and work began the next year.
Designed by Henegehan Peng Architects and WXY architecture + urban design, the project added an “outdoor lobby” with a series of pavilions for hospitality and amenities.
A new entry area reduces parking to one large lot on the edge of Storm King, which increases capacity and includes a dedicated bus and rideshare drop-off loop. This lot, along with the removal of two lots previously located within the park grounds, takes cars out of the visitor experience.
The outdoor lobby features pavilions with essential amenities, like ticketing and information, restrooms, and spaces to gather. Native plants framing the lobby and parking area create a sense of place and lead visitors from the entrance to the art and landscape.
The David R. Collens Building for Conservation, Fabrication, and Maintenance and its soaring ceiling heights allow Storm King to “realize extraordinary projects” and support grand-scale works. The new building is a workshop, studio, storage space, and office, all in one.
Two former parking lots within the grounds became new landscaped areas for art and programming. Gustafson Porter + Bowman and Reed Hilderbrand designed the new landscapes.
As 6sqft previously noted, sustainability was at the center of the project, with a LEED Gold certification for the welcome area, all-electric heating and cooling systems, and 650 new trees.
Exhibitions that will debut alongside Storm King’s reopening include multidisciplinary artist Kevin Beasley’s largest work to date, Brazilian artist Sonia Gomes’ first solo museum exhibition in the United States, and photographer Dionne Lee’s first-ever outdoor sculpture.
The $53 million project included a $11.3 million investment from the State Council on the Arts, Empire State Development, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.
“Storm King Art Center combines world-class art and culture with one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement.
“With this incredible expansion of Storm King Art Center, Hudson Valley will benefit from increased tourism, expanded opportunities for growth and the restorative power of art and culture.”
Advanced tickets are recommended. General admission starts at $25 for adults and $15 for students and children.
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