Bannock Street Façade of Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art.
Photo courtesy Wes Magyar
The Denver Art Museum and Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art announced plans Thursday to merge operations, which they say will enhance the city’s cultural offerings.
The Kirkland Museum, near the Denver Art Museum, will become the Kirkland Institute of Fine & Decorative Art at the Denver Art Museum. Its collection of decorative arts with a focus on Colorado artists — as well as its collection of work made by its namesake, Vance Kirkland — will join the DAM’s collection and programs.
The Kirkland Museum struggled in recent years after the pandemic kept it closed and a 2021 flood created by burst pipes damaged each of the building’s three floors, including their gallery space and storage area. After extensive repairs, it reopened in August 2021.
“This merger represents a bold step forward in our collective mission to honor our shared heritage, foster creativity, and cultivate a deeper appreciation for the arts,” said Merle Chambers, Kirkland Museum co-founder, in a statement.
Officials said the merger will optimize resources to extend the museum’s reach with visitors and in its educational programs.
The Kirkland Institute will maintain its vignette-style exhibits and preserve Kirkland’s three-room studio building, while joining architecturally distinct buildings.
The integration process will take 12 to 18 months, with officials hoping to complete their operational merger by September. Members of each museum will have access to the other starting this summer.
