The National Gallery of Art’s East Building is scheduled to reopen to visitors on June 30, after remaining closed for three months due to renovations.
The building closed in late February this year for major renovation works such as the finalization of the Atrium skylight’s replacement, which was followed by the removal of construction safety structures and equipment.
The National Gallery installed a new system of sliding platforms to replace the skylight’s 23,000 square feet of glass panels, which required a repair after 40 years, according to a statement from the museum.
Alexander Calder’s mobile, which was removed two years ago to allow for the renovation, will be reinstalled in fall 2022. Protective enclosures erected around other large sculptures will also be lifted.
In addition, accessibility has been improved in the East Building through newly added accessible double doors at the main entrance and ADA-compliant restrooms built on the ground level near the Study Center entrance. The existing ADA-compliant family restrooms were also updated.
Upcoming exhibits slated to take place at the East Building following the reopening include “The Woman in White: Joanna Hiffernan and James McNeill Whistler” (from July 3 – October 10) and “The Double: Identity and Difference in Art since 1900” (from July 10 – October 31).