About the Museum
A new building and a revitalized collection. Opening to you and the world November 2023.
After more than eighteen months of research and design, it is a great pleasure to share an overview and plans of the new Raclin Murphy Museum of Art. Thanks to the leading benefaction of Mrs. Ernestine Raclin and her daughter and son-in-law, Carmen and Christopher Murphy, the new Museum will be a significant and desirable addition to the University of Notre Dame. As a national attraction, it will be uniquely positioned to host the Museum's renowned collections, dynamic exhibitions, and engaging programs. After a rigorous search culminating in January 2019, the University selected the New York-based design firm, Robert A. M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), to design the new museum. Celebrated internationally for classical design sensibilities, the firm's reputation is built on modern traditionalist architecture.
Under the guidance and direction of the University Architect's office, RAMSA and a leadership team from the current Snite Museum of Art have worked in close association on a new Museum in a new location. The goal for the facility is taken from the Museum's mission to provide “experiences with significant works of art intended to stimulate inquiry, dialogue, and wonder for audiences across the academy, the community, and around the world—all in support of the University of Notre Dame's Catholic mission.”
The Building
Recalling the overall importance of geometry and harmony to the RAMSA aesthetic, the museum has been conceived as a carefully proportioned rectangular form centered around a large circular atrium–a perfect home for the Museums distinguished collections and exhibitions.
The Collections
The Raclin Murphy Museum will feature the collections from the Snite Museum of Art, in addition to new exhibitions and experiences.
Timeline and Location
The Raclin Murphy Museum of Art is located near Edison Road, near the School of Architecture and within the Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park. Collections from the Snite Museum of Art will begin transitioning to the new building, with the grand opening November 2023.
