Soirée 2023 Fund a Need - exterior renovations

Fund a Need: First Impressions & Exterior Renovations

We’ve been called a “hidden gem,” but not always for the right reason.

An Axios article recently said, “Elmhurst Art Museum is one of the Chicago area's best kept secrets.” We’ve known this for years, but an improved façade can help change this headline about the museum. Afterall, first impressions go a long way.

Thanks to the incredible commitment of our community and supporters over the past few years we have nearly restored the McCormick House to its original form, reimagined and renovated the Education Center, and upgraded the environmental controls in the galleries and museum with new highly energy efficient HVAC and roofing systems that ensure the safety and security of our visitors and the artworks on exhibition.

We’re hiding all of this incredible work under the wear-and-tear of a 26-year-old exterior that lacks proper signage and lighting, among other needed improvements. Let’s make the building’s outside as beautiful as the inside.

With new signage, updated lighting, a resurfaced metal exterior of the building, resurfaced parking lot, and landscaping improvements, EAM will greatly bolster its visibility, image, and welcome environment. As an organization dedicated to the cultural vitality of Elmhurst, these improvements will help foster community by cultivating a creative space where art is for everyone.

Your Fund a Need support will go directly to the exterior renovations of:

• A new updated YouAre Beautiful sign by the same artist
• Resurfaced of the metal exterior of the Main building
• Resurfaced parking lot
• Improved and updated signage on the Cottage Hill Avenue side of the building
• Updated and enhanced exterior lighting to the building
• New landscaping on Cottage Hill Avenue and Wilder Park side of the building