The Princeton University Art Museum will re-open in its new building on October 31, 2025. The University made the announcement this week, giving everyone in the town something to look forward to! The Art Museum closed during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, and stayed closed for a planned redevelopment of the site. After removal of all the artworks, the old museum building was demolished, and has been replaced with a new structure to showcase the University’s collection, described as “117,000 objects representing over five thousand years of human creativity”.

The University’s announcement highlight the features of the new 144,000 sq ft facility. With three levels, nine interlocking pavilions, galleries, classrooms, “artworks” and classroom space, it promises to be one of the most interesting places to explore in New Jersey.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. The project was originally supposed to be done in 2024, and around halfway through construction, the lead architect, David Adjaye, was the subject of allegations of sexual assault, and was dropped from other big commissions. The design of the building has also been sniffed at by some pundits, to the extent that architecture student Kayleen Gowers felt moved to write a defense of it before it has even opened (“Why the Art Museum deserves a second look“).

According to ‘The Daily Princetonian’, there will be opportunities for members of the public to get a sneak peak around the museum before the official opening on October 31. Museum members can join a “New Museum Perimeter Tour” on April 14, May 5, and May 14.

Opening Day itself looks set to be a big party. In an interview with “The Art Newspaper”, museum director James Steward envisioned a “24-hour open house”, featuring “a dance party, yoga, spoken-word poetry, curator-led tours and a film screening as part of the all-night affair.” Steward also said that the Princeton Hometown Halloween parade, which is normally organized by the Princeton Arts Council, will end this year at the new Art Museum, to help celebrate the opening and make for a family-friendly event.

Related links:

• Princeton University press release about opening of new Art Museum
• Report from Walkable Princeton from 2021 about approval of the new Art Museum building: “Town Planning Board Approves New Sir David Adjaye-Designed Princeton University Art Museum“