Art Institute unveils $50M Grainger Conservation Center

The Art Institute of Chicago announced the creation of the Grainger Center for Conservation and Science, a $50 million, 25,000-square-foot facility dedicated to advancing art conservation within the museum’s existing footprint. The center will more than double the museum’s integrated conservation workspace, enabling a team of 40 specialists in twelve conservation fields to collaborate, research, teach, and preserve the collection more effectively, as reported by the Art Institute of Chicago and WTTW News.

According to the Institute’s press release, since hiring its first paintings conservator in 1956, the Art Institute has been a leader in conservation efforts. The new center marks the most significant update in conservation sciences at the museum in nearly 70 years, according to Francesca Casadio, vice president and Grainger Executive Director of Conservation and Science. “This will allow us to elevate our research and enhance care for the collection, but also bring visitors in on the processes and the work we do every day,” she stated in the press release.

The Grainger Center will showcase a permanent gallery that highlights innovations and processes in art conservation. Its design enables visitors to observe conservators actively treating artworks, providing a unique behind-the-scenes look. A rotating calendar of special conservation exhibitions will further engage the public, deepening their understanding of preservation techniques.

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The new center’s build will lead to some gallery relocations and collection redistributions to support a long-term campus evolution aimed at improving visitor experience, noted James Rondeau, the museum’s director, in the press release. Construction is set to begin in spring 2026, with an anticipated opening in fall 2027.

This ambitious project benefits from the museum's strong financial position, having raised over $225 million for its endowment. The Grainger Foundation’s philanthropy has been vital in supporting the museum’s conservation advancements for decades, now enabling this major expansion. Through this endeavor, the Art Institute ensures the preservation of art for generations to come while inviting the public to witness the dedicated conservation work firsthand.