A behind-the-scenes look at museum work
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, originally opened on July 4, 1876, is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world, with a collection of almost 500,000 works of art. The new state-of-the-art Conservation Center allows for collaboration among the museum’s conservators, scholars, and teachers. “With this new Conservation Center, the MFA will be among a small family of leading international Museums with exceptional conservation labs, strengthening the MFA’s commitment to preserve our collections for future generations,” said Matthew Teitelbaum, Ann and Graham Gund Director.
A gut renovation of two floors was completed to create the Conservation Center which includes six laboratories for paintings, objects, frame and furniture conservation, exhibition preparation, and scientific research. There is space for workshops and mount making, which will be available for the general public, and for training and tutorials. Altieri provided all MEPF and IT system designs for the renovation. New air handling and air distribution systems were added to the 3rd and 4th floors and existing units were replaced on the 1st and 2nd floors. All conservation spaces are climate controlled as determined by program requirements. Information technology systems design included telephone cabling, data cabling, and infrastructure requirements.
