The Building

With 70,000 additional feet, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center will add a new dimension to its mission – interpreting the science of the north – while remaining true to the history, art and cultural artifacts that make it one of Alaska’s favorite museums. Physically, the addition will make the Museum more accessible to passers-by on C Street through a new main entrance and windowed galleries that invite Alaskans and visitors to experience the new Museum.

The Building

The existing building will also be an important part of the new Museum. The atrium at the heart of the current building will be maintained to continue to provide a venue for the art, music and cultural events that make Anchorage such a vibrant community. Other areas will be transformed into new galleries and improved facilities for exhibition and preservation.

The Expansion plans include:

  • The Imaginarium – Alaska’s great Science Discovery Center
  • The Arctic Studies Center – Alaska’s home for the Smithsonian Institution, and over 2,000 artifacts
  • Young Learners Discovery Gallery – Geared toward children 3-7 years old, it will feature touchable objects and opportunities for hands-on learning for families
  • Library and Special Collections – More public access and storage space will be created for the 10,000 books and 400,000 photos used by journalists, scholars, students and historians
  • Alaska Gallery – The current Alaska Gallery, home to the Museum’s historical collection, will be augmented with the archaeology, cultural traditions, and scientific, industrial and economic developments in Alaska
  • Behind the Scenes – The new Museum will feature a renovated and expanded “back-of-house” for improved care and storage of exhibitions and the permanent collection
  • New Art Galleries
  • New Shop and Café

The Kresge Foundation’s Green Building Initiative grant will allow the Museum to consider ways to make the Museum addition environmentally friendly. For more information about Green Building design see the United State Green Building Council website at: www.usgbc.org