Improvements continue to revitalize the state’s first art museum
Mint Museum Randolph’s revitalization continues!
As the museum builds up to its 80th anniversary in 2016 (did you know the Mint was North Carolina’s first art museum , and it still holds one of the the largest permanent collections in the Southeast?), improvements are continuing to bring a “refreshed” experience to our visitors! Among the recent changes:
- Installation of new energy-efficient LED lighting was completed in the spring with the support of the City of Charlotte.
- Planters on the terrace were refurbished with the help of the Charlotte Garden Club, a Mint Museum affiliate .
- There’s a new floor in the Ivey Forum, home of the STAR (Student Art) Gallery and one of the spaces available for public special events rentals ;
- The Ivey also has improved hard-wired data ports and conference phone lines.
- Landscaping improvements are helping drivers have a better line of sight at the Randolph Road entrance.
This is just the beginning – check back here for more updates on improvements to YOUR community art museum!
From February 16, 2015:
From now through mid-April, visitors to Mint Museum Randolph will experience changes aimed at giving the museum a brighter future.
The Mint Museum is working with the City of Charlotte, which owns the property at Randolph, along with Duke Energy to replace aging light fixtures with new LED fixtures. The new fixtures are more energy-efficient, yet have a more historically appropriate design than the previous 30-year-old lighting in the parking lot and on the terrace in front of the museum. They will reduce the light usage from 360 watts to 165 watts per pole – saving approximately 18,000 kilowatt hours per year, or roughly the same amount of energy consumed by 45 full-sized refrigerators.
The lighting project will be visible to visitors due to the removal of approximately 16-18 trees, in consultation with the City Arborist. The tree removal will benefit the health of the remaining trees, as well as maximizing the efficiency of the new lighting. Temporary lighting will be used in front of the museum while new poles are installed.
The target completion date for the project is April 19 – in time for the museum to celebrate its “Rock & Royal Spring Gala” on April 25. For more information, see mintmuseum.org/gala.