Status: COMPLETED

The goal of Phase I was to obtain and build out attractive, functional office space for the Museum’s administrative staff. This phase was completed in February 2019 when CAMH’s administrative staff moved to new offices just a block away from the Museum. Moving the administrative offices out of the converted house that had served as office space for 22 years accomplished two important objectives:

1. providing a healthier and more professional environment for staff; and
2. improving infrastructure to support technology needs and creative collaborations.

Status: COMPLETED

The Phase II projects included the redesign and transformation of the Eleanor and Frank Freed Garden to create an expansive, inviting plaza suitable for outdoor events, programs, and exhibitions—thus increasing CAMH’s usable exhibition and event space. A dynamic new exterior lighting system that showcases CAMH’s iconic Gunnar Birkerts building enhances the Museum’s visibility, grants flexibility in hosting outdoor presentations, and has increased the safety of visitors and staff. New exterior signage improves wayfinding for visitors to Houston’s Museum District and draws visitors to explore CAMH. The Museum was also able to make long-needed upgrades and renovations to the interior galleries, including updating the electrical, replacing the 40+ year old gallery floors, replacing cracked window panes, and installing updated LED lighting—all core aspects of the Museum experience that were decades old. The effect has been extraordinary, revealing architectural details of the iconic building that had not been seen in decades.

Additionally, Phase II included projects that improved key infrastructure. The Museum’s stormwater drainage system, driveway, and loading dock have been reinforced, stabilized, and repaired to ensure exhibitions can arrive and depart safely and securely. These types of infrastructure repairs seldom receive the recognition they are due for their importance; however, they mean a great deal to the artists, galleries, and lenders who entrust CAMH with their precious work. As a non-collecting institution, every work CAMH handles is owned by someone else—our reputation for care and respect of the work is paramount to our success.

With the first two phases of the New Perspectives Capital Campaign complete, CAMH is preparing to commence with the third and final phase of the project, which will extend through the other end of the campus to create space for more community-oriented projects and installations beyond our regular exhibition programming, provide much-needed parking and storage, and strongly position CAMH for long-term growth.

Status: IN PROGRESS

CAMH is scheduled to begin the third and final phase of the Campaign in 2023. These final projects will be centered on the West and South ends of the campus, with a focus on providing an additional, flexible programming and gathering space, clearing an existing lot for future parking and programming space, and seeding a maintenance and preparedness fund for future maintenance and emergency facility needs.

Most importantly, New Perspectives will implement a Master campus plan for the Museum spanning the next 3–5 years. This includes a possible land acquisition, additional exhibition space, dedicated program space, and temporary and permanent artist activations.

CAMH has exceeded $3.6 million in funds raised for the Campaign, and is prepared to step boldly into the future while preserving its iconic footprint and commitment to making contemporary art accessible to all.