A Museum Plan

At its October meeting, Williams’ Board of Trustees voted to move forward with the design phase of a new art museum on the former site of the Williams Inn. The building project is expected to be completed in 2026-27, the centennial year of the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA).

Focused on teaching and learning with art, the new space will be “designed with students in mind, fostering a sense of belonging for campus members and the wider community, and an inclusive experience for all visitors,” according to a WCMA statement announcing the plan. Said Williams President Maud S. Mandel, “The new museum grows out of Williams’ commitment to the arts—a commitment that has defined us for over a century. … This is far more than a building. It’s the next step in Williams’ commitment to the vibrancy, relevance and educational importance of the arts.”