Sculpture Garden Revitalization
Since the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden opened in 1974, its collection and programs have grown and evolved, establishing the Hirshhorn as one of the most visited modern art museums in the country. The campus is currently undergoing transformative improvements: repairs are being made to the Museum building’s envelope and the revitalization of the Sculpture Garden will formally begin in spring 2023. These projects will enable the Hirshhorn campus to support the museum’s mission and its expanded programming and collections, as well as enhance visitor experience and address critical infrastructure needs.
The revitalization project was introduced in spring 2019 and following the public consultation process, received approval in late 2022. A groundbreaking signaling the start of the transformative project was attended by first lady Dr. Jill Biden, Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, artists such as Hiroshi Sugimoto and Laurie Anderson, Jeff Koons, Liz Larner, Tony Oursler, Adam Pendleton and Ami Yamasaki, members of the Smithsonian and Hirshhorn board on Nov. 16, 2022.
Project’s Milestones
• Hirshhorn Breaks Ground on Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Revitalized Sculpture Garden, Nov. 16, 2022
• Hirshhorn Wins Approval for Hiroshi Sugimoto’s Sculpture Garden Revitalization, Dec. 2, 2021
• Hirshhorn Nearing Final Design for Its Sculpture Garden Revitalization, March 10, 2021
• Hirshhorn’s Concept for Revitalized Sculpture Garden Approved Unanimously by National Capital Planning Commission and Commission of Fine Arts, June 6, 2019
• Hirshhorn to Revitalize Sculpture Garden for the 21st Century, March 11, 2019
An archive of the public process can be found on the Smithsonian’s Architectural History & Historic Preservation site.
