Arkansas’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, in Bentonville, marked a major milestone this spring with the unveiling of its highly anticipated, 114,000-square-foot expansion designed by Safdie Architects.

© Crystal Bridges – Tim Hursley

The expansion transformed the museum experience, expanding access to five centuries of American art and enhancing the ways visitors interact with every part of the building. The expanded museum introduces two new dedicated art galleries, including a large space for temporary exhibitions featuring a bespoke skylight system. In addition, a dedicated creative learning hub with educational spaces, community gathering areas and galleries, artist in residence studios, a digital art studio, a ceramics studio, and artmaking spaces will engage creators of all ages and abilities. The first exhibition to be on view in the new temporary exhibition space is Keith Haring in 3D, opened in June.

It is the first exhibition to highlight the iconic artist’s work in three dimensions. The exhibition showcases Haring’s sculptures, totems and masks, skateboards, clothing, boomboxes, paintings, drawings, and even a 1963 Buick Special.

© Crystal Bridges – Tim Hursley

New Contemporary American Art Gallery will also include Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room (Teresita Fernández’s Manigua), showcasing the museum’s collection boundary pushing contemporary works alongside its historic American works.

The two galleries are connected by a bridge that provides additional space for displaying sculpture, pottery and glassware. The bridge also features a 40-seat café, named Quartz + Honey, where visitors can dine with unobstructed views of the 5 acres of surrounding landscape, including streams, gardens, trails and a 15,000-square-foot pond. Situated on a 134-acre campus along with Heartland Whole Health Institute and Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, the museum’s architecture highlights its Ozark woodland setting.

“Crystal Bridges has always been rooted in the belief that art can expand how we see ourselves, one another, and the world around us,” said Olivia Walton, board chair, Crystal Bridges. “This next chapter deepens that vision, creating spaces that invite curiosity, creativity, and connection at every turn. By bringing art, architecture, nature, wellness, and education into closer dialogue across the campus, we are continuing to push the boundaries of what a cultural institution can be. The expansion not only broadens access to extraordinary works of American art, but also strengthens the museum’s role as a place where people can gather, learn, reflect, and experience the transformative power of art in community.”

© Crystal Bridges – Tim Hursley

Extending the museum’s original looped circulation, the new addition completes a figure eight, with two stream-fed ponds within the surrounding ravine and a new north entrance that provides multilevel access to the museum and grounds. The expansion features exposed southern yellow pine beams, sloping roof forms with extended overhangs, expansive floor-to ceiling glass and copper covering, and a series of porches overlooking the landscape.

Crystal Bridges’ major showcase honors the country’s 250th anniversary. The exhibition features historical documents, textiles, painting, toys and artwork from 1776 to today, including an early engraving of the Declaration of Independence.

Since opening in 2011, the museum has welcomed more than 15 million visitors across its spaces, with no cost for admission. Additional museum amenities include a restaurant, gift store, library, and 5 miles of art and walking trails.

In February 2020, the museum opened the Momentary in Downtown Bentonville, a venue for the music, art and food of our time.