As part of a larger mission to create a dynamic downtown arts campus, the Newark Museum of Art has finished a major redesign and renovation of the building’s south wing. The Learning and Engagement Center, first opened in 1990, which serves as a hub for studio, events, and education, has been reimagined for 2025 and beyond. The newly remodeled community space has been completed and is now open to visitors.
KSS Architects handled the renovation of the Learning and Engagement Center, reimagining 6,000 square feet of public space. The firm’s mission was to create open and welcoming educational spaces that fully connect with the rest of the 116-year-old museum. This project is part of the Newark Museum of Art’s efforts to further engage the public and create a downtown Newark arts district with dynamic and inclusive indoor gathering places, outdoor public art, and green spaces, plus a sculpture garden.
“The Learning and Engagement Center is the gateway to the arts campus, strengthening the connection between the Newark Museum of Art and the City of Newark as an inclusive cultural anchor,” noted Jason Chmura, AIA, LEED, AP, Partner at KSS Architects. “The renovation, to open up and transform learning spaces on upper and lower floors of the building, is another accomplishment in developing NMOA’s campus into a true destination for community and educational services, gatherings, and engagement.”
Working with Phelps Construction and AKF Group, a member of WSP, KSS Architects began renovation of the Learning and Engagement Center in January 2025 to correspond with the start of the neighboring Museum Parc project. This development will comprise 250 mixed-income rental units across two buildings featuring more than 2,300 square feet of ground-floor retail. That project is a joint venture bringing together LMXD, MSquared, and MCI Collective. Construction is expected to be finished by 2027.
“Completing the South Wing renovation is a major move for us, it’s a game-changer in making the museum a truly welcoming and accessible space for the whole community,” added Shirley Thomas Ward, Deputy Director, Learning & Engagement, The Newark Museum of Art. “Our museum has always been a champion of powerful art and stories, and now we’ve added a bold, vibrant space where our visitors can come together, whether to experience the art, learn something new, or just connect with one another.”
