The Chazen Museum of Art announced on May 8 that the scaffolding has been removed from the Conrad J. Elvehjem Building, marking a major milestone in a four-year renovation project. The exterior stone cladding and roof have been replaced, but museum officials say these visible changes are only part of broader improvements aimed at enhancing visitor experience and preserving the collection.
The renovations address both aesthetic updates and critical infrastructure needs, which are essential for maintaining proper climate control and energy efficiency within the galleries. These upgrades will help ensure that art remains accessible and safe for visitors as well as faculty, staff, and students who use the facility. The Chazen Museum of Art maintains a permanent collection exceeding 23,000 works spanning from ancient to modern art, provides rotating exhibitions from its collection and loaned works along with public programs and tours, promotes accessibility for diverse audiences through various accommodations, features a facility expanded in 2011, operates as an art institution offering exhibitions and public programs, and serves as a vital resource for education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison—all according to the official website.
Amy Gilman, director of the Chazen Museum of Art, said: “On the outside, the changes are so subtle visitors may not be able to put their finger on precisely what’s been done. While the newly reinstalled galleries on the inside will be more noticeably different to visitors, it’s actually both things — exterior and interior — that together will help keep the Chazen’s collection accessible, safe, and enjoyable for many more years to come.”
The Elvehjem Building originally opened in 1970 with distinctive Lannon stone cladding but had minimal insulation or vapor barriers. Over time this led to issues with temperature regulation and leaks affecting gallery spaces. Lindsay Grinstead, chief of staff at Chazen Museum of Art who served as liaison during renovations said: “It looked like the walls were weeping,” describing moisture damage caused by inadequate insulation.
Construction began in 2023 after safety concerns led university officials to restrict access due to deteriorating stonework. The project involved removing all original exterior stones—graded individually using drone-based assessments—and replacing them alongside new vapor barriers and insulation. Roof systems were also rebuilt with custom drainage solutions following unexpected leaks during construction.
Now that major work is complete—including installation of new skylights—museum leaders believe these behind-the-scenes upgrades will benefit both patrons and artwork long into the future. Grinstead said: “That’s the hard part about it. A lot goes into creating a proper environment for the collection that you can’t see. But for patrons and objects on display—that’s often most important.”
