Thanks to the thousands of visitors that experience transformative experiences with art each year, the DAM is in the top 20 most attended art museums in North America. Home to award-winning exhibitions and top-tier programs for all ages, the DAM is a place for shared, hands-on experiences, an appreciation for diverse cultures, and personal expression. It is a beacon for creativity and innovation, the very qualities that make our city great.
Nearing the 50th anniversary of the Gio Ponti-designed North Building, and more than a decade since the opening of the Frederic C. Hamilton Building, it is time to look toward the next milestone in our evolution.
The North Building project will expand the museum’s ability to serve the community, welcome guests to our city, and preserve and present priceless works of art from cultures around the world and throughout history for generations to come.
November 19, 2017, was the last day for the public to explore and enjoy the North Building galleries until renovations are completed. In preparation for renovation, Palettes restaurant served its last meal on September 10 after 20 years of incredible service.
During construction, the Hamilton Building is buzzing with activity, and is now open Monday through Sunday. View the exciting slate of upcoming exhibitions here.
Lanny & Sharon Martin Make Lead Gift to Revitalize North Building
Last year, the chairman of The Denver Art Museum board J. Landis Martin and his wife Sharon, have given $25 million toward renovating its Gio Ponti–designed building. The Martins’ donation is the largest gift the museum has ever received.
To renovate the building, DAM will spend a total of $150 million. In doing so, the museum aims to expand its gallery spaces and better integrate its grounds with the building itself. Fentress Architects of Denver and Machado Silvetti are currently overseeing the design process.
The museum’s North Building, as Ponti called it, is the only completed structure that the Italian architect designed in North America. Initially opened in 1971, it is considered by some to be the first high-rise museum ever.
“The North Building is considered one of the most significant objects in the museum’s collection, and our family is honored to support the much-needed rehabilitation required to bring it into the 21st century,” J. Landis Martin, the managing director of Platt River Equity, said in a statement. The project is expected to be completed in 2021.