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The Art for the Americas Wing stands on its own while embracing its neighbors

Experience the immediate pleasure of entering the Art for the Americas Wing

Renewing the relationship between the Museum and its famous park setting

The Ruth and Carl. J. Shapiro Court offers a modern perspective for your private gala

Daylight and connectivity to the outdoors provide a supportive seminar environment

The art and architecture of walking the walk, in the hallways that encircle the galleries

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Museum of Fine Arts, Boston – Art of the Americas Wing

Location:

Style: Business Meetings, Social Gatherings

A new modern wing dedicated to American art adds a new dimension to this Boston landmark and provides connectivity within its collections and with its park setting.

The architectural legacy of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts in Copely Square dates to 1876 when it opened its doors for the first time on the 4^th of July. The museum remained in Copely Square for over 30 years, and in 1909 found a new home in a grand and gracious Beaux Arts building designed by local architect Guy Lowell. It had a prestigious location facing Back Bay Fens (“the Fens”) parkland, originally designed by Frederick Law Olmstead in 1877. The museum has earned the rare honor of a 2011 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) International Award for architectural excellence.

International teams contributed to several additions to the museum as its collections grew through the 20th century. Architect I.M. Pei designed the West Wing, now the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art, which opened in 1981. In 1999 a master plan for continued expansion of the Museum of Fine Arts was commissioned by UK-based architect Foster + Partners. Their work included the design of the Art of the Americas Wing, which opened in 2010.

Foster + Partner’s design of the Art of the Americas Wing, in collaboration with Boston architects Childs Bertman Tseckares, Inc., was intended to exhibit American art exclusively. The building is a simple and elegant glass structure that fills a former courtyard between two museum wings, also primarily of glass. The new wing interconnects with the main museum and its internal circulation spine and is visually integrated with the neighboring park

There are 53 galleries with a collection of over 5,000 works of art from North America, Central America, and South America. The works are presented in chronological order spanning a remarkable time frame from the 1st millennium BC through the mid-to-late 20th century.

A striking feature of the Art of the Americas Wing is the Ruth and Carl  J. Shapiro Family Courtyard. This is a fully enclosed, light-filled modern space that can be viewed from all levels of the new building. It is an impressive setting for lectures, receptions and social celebrations. There are also classrooms, an auditorium, and other educational spaces available for private use.

Images courtesy of Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and Foster + Partners