The Common
Project highlights
"The museum is a wonderful resource. The historical lessons are priceless. I enjoy connecting with the past, whether it is by film or discovering artifacts." - Jimmi Ware, poet
April 2010
Spring 2010 - Grand Opening date to be announced
June 2009
Preview events to be announced
September 23, 2007
Topping Off Celebration
September 2006
Annex demolished; Guaranteed Maximum Price contract signed with contractor, AGI
August 20, 2006
Groundbreaking ceremony and celebration
January 2006
Public presentation of final design development
December 2005
Completion of design development
July 2005
Alcan General Inc selected as general contractor
April 2005
Anchorage voters approve bond initiative to help support increased operations of the expanded museum
September 21, 2004
Final public presentation of concept design by the design team and workshop held at the museum
July 2004
Public presentation of concept design by the design team and workshop is held at the museum
June 2004
Public presentation of concept design by the design team and workshop is held at the museum
May 2004
The Michigan-based Kresge Foundation awards the museum a $100,000 Green Building Initiative grant to assess the museum's current operations and plans for future, environmentally friendly growth
March 2004
Ralph Appelbaum Associates is selected as exhibits designer for the expansion
The design team presents an updated vision of its plans for the expansion after weighing earlier public comment
Charles Anderson Landscape Architecture is selected to design the two-acre outdoor public space included in the expansion
January-July 2004
Charles Anderson Landscape Architects and initial technical consultants: geotech, survey and civil are selected
Ralph Appelbaum Associates is selected as exhibit design consultant during consept design
Tom Harris prepares operations budget
November 2003
David Chipperfield presents initial design concepts to Anchorage residents
History charrette with community to define the history program for the new museum
July-October 2003
Art gatherings and charrette with artists and community to develop the art programming for the new museum
August 2003
MBC issues program statement to museum family and community
July 2003
David Chipperfield Architects selected as museum architect, after interviews of 6 finalists from 38 national and international proposals received
June 2003
Kumin Associates selected as local architect of record
May 2003
Science charrette with community to study the science program for the new museum
February 2003
MBC holds retreat to establish overall project budget, working committees, and strategy and schedule for procurement of the design team
January 2002
RISE Alaska is selected as project advisor to the Museum Building Committee
February 1999
Elmer Rasumuson announces a $50 million gift to the Anchorage Museum Foundation to fund the expansion and inclusion of The Imaginarium
April 1998
Mayor Rick Mystrom appoints the Museum Building Committee to oversee design and construction of the museum expansion
1997 - 1999
Anchorage Museum contracts with Lord Cultural Resources to deliver a programming study for the expansion