City issues RFQ for design of art museum renovation, expansion

The city of Springfield has launched the request for qualifications process for the design of the Springfield Art Museum's planned renovation and expansion project.

The RFQ marks the next step in the process of the museum's 30-year master plan that launched in 2018, according to a news release. Exterior improvements, as well as new educational, public and community spaces, are part of the planned work at 1111 E. Brookside Drive in the Phelps Grove neighborhood.

“We are very proud of what the city and the art museum have been able to accomplish thus far and excited about continuing our work on improving and expanding the museum building and grounds,” Springfield Art Museum Director Nick Nelson said in the release. “We are so grateful for the support of the city of Springfield and our community in making this happen.”

The RFQ can be viewed at the city's website. Architecture firms must apply by 3 p.m. Nov. 29.

The museum’s goal is complete construction of its master plan by its 100-year anniversary in 2028. Construction on the new facility is expected to begin by early 2025, according to the release.

The campaign's fundraising goal is $25 million. Earlier this year, the museum received the largest charitable gift in its history for the campaign. The Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park, Kansas, donated $5 million in March.

Improvements to the art museum’s grounds are underway. The art museum has scheduled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the work on Oct. 15.