OMAA Announces 2026-2027 Renovation Plans
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA) announced today that it will close for the 2026 season on Sunday, November 1, 2026, two weeks earlier than previously planned, allowing additional time over the winter months for a measured renovation and modernization of the Museum’s existing facility.
Following OMAA’s previously announced strategic partnership with Kevin Daly Architects and Reed Hildebrand, who created a concept plan for the renovation of the Museum in 2024, OMAA has prioritized its current needs. The project represents an important next step in planning for OMAA’s future. The work will focus on preserving the Museum’s historic architecture while making thoughtful improvements that will strengthen the institution for the decades ahead.
At the center of the project is OMAA’s original 1952 building, designed by architect Charles S. Worley as a purpose-built home for American art overlooking the Atlantic. In the nearly 75 years since the Museum opened, standards for the care and presentation of works of art have evolved considerably. The renovation will honor the character and architectural integrity of the building while updating OMAA’s facilities to meet those changing standards, with improvements to climate stabilization, gallery lighting, security, and other systems that support the care of the collection and OMAA’s ability to secure important loans for future exhibitions.
“As we approach our 75th anniversary in 2028, we have an opportunity to preserve what is distinctive about OMAA while preparing the Museum for the future,” said David Cunningham, Executive Director of the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. “The architecture, the collection, and our extraordinary setting are fundamental to who we are. This project allows us to honor that legacy while giving the Museum the infrastructure it needs to care for great works of art, present ambitious exhibitions, and serve generations of visitors to come.”
OMAA will remain open through November 1, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the Museum’s 2026 exhibitions and seaside sculpture park before the renovation work begins. The Museum looks forward to welcoming visitors back on April 23, 2027, to a modernized facility that honors its architectural legacy and positions OMAA for its next chapter.
ABOUT THE OGUNQUIT MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART (OMAA)
The Ogunquit Museum of American Art (OMAA) presents thought-provoking exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, and engaging education and community programs. The Museum’s seaside landscape and three-acre sculpture park offer a sense of place and a destination for experiencing art and nature, with stunning panoramic views of Maine’s iconic coves and outcroppings.
Founded by a community of artists and supporters, led by Henry Strater (1896-1987), and opened in 1953, OMAA celebrates its ties to one of America’s earliest art communities which directly contributed to the roots of modernism in the United States. OMAA’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs from the late 1800s to the present.
Led by Executive Director David Cunningham and Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art Devon Zimmerman, OMAA is open to visitors from April to November. For more information, visit ogunquitmuseum.org.
Media Contact: Meg Blackburn, meg@blackburncreative.com
