“It is not just a physical improvement of the building, but It is really a way of rethinking the whole museum experience. It will use technology to introduce people to art and help them understand how art is made and what it means and also make the experience of going to the museum a lot more interesting, understandable and fun.”

Abbott hopes the Gund money will generate other contributions to complete the project.

The museum is reopening in phases, and the atrium was unveiled last month. The museum’s director, David Franklin,  says the entire project will be done late next year.

David Franklin, The museum director talks about the purpose of the renovations.

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“In reconceiving the museum it was partly a metaphor to have a building that was as beautiful and efficient and clearly arranged and allowing for beautiful installations as the objects within the museum.”

The Cleveland museum has some 45,000 objects spanning 6,000 years.