Freer Gallery to close next year for renovations

Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery of Art will close next year for major renovations. They announced Wednesday that the museum will close to the public January 4, 2016. It’s expected to reopen sometime in 2017. Renovations will begin this month behind the scenes to bring some of it up to date. The Freer opened as the Smithsonian’s first major Asian art museum in 1923. Changes planned for the Freer are all technical in scope, focused on improving the climate-control system throughout the museum. In addition to adjusting ventilation and humidity controls, officials aim to refurbish the art galleries, upgrade storage and conservation facilities, and restore the Meyer Auditorium. A renovation of this scope has not been undertaken since 1993. The cost of the renovation is as of know unknown, and will be paid for through a combination of federal and endowment funds and donations.