A US$10m (£5.1m, 6.8m euro) expansion and renovation programme is to be undertaken at James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, US, according to designs created by Hillier Architecture.

During the first phase a new wing will be constructed to include a 5,000sq ft (465sq m) gallery to accommodate nationally touring exhibitions and house the museum’s permanent collection on the upper level, while the lower level will provide more space for the museum’s curatorial and administrative services and art storage facilities.

The second phase of the project will see construction of a glass cover over the existing patio area of the Patricia D. Pfundt Sculpture Garden to create an indoor events space to host large public programmes and private events, in addition to renovation of the Ann and Herman Silverman Pavilion into an education complex with two classrooms, an orientation area, a larger museum shop and café, and a larger children’s gallery.

Bruce Katsiff, director and CEO, said: “We are proud that the Michener Art Museum has become a nexus of our community’s cultural life presenting dynamic exhibitions each year, a plethora of concerts, lectures and films, plus educational activities for all ages and interests

“With the growth of the region’s populace and the increasing size and diversity of our audiences, we have outgrown our current space. The planned expansion addresses a critical need to expand our facilities in order to continue to serve the community and the region, and to secure the vitality of our artistic heritage for generations to come.”