At the end of last month the Wadsworth Atheneum quietly closed galleries in its Goodwin, Morgan Memorial, and Wadsworth buildings…for the time being. Susan Talbott, Director and CEO, said the museum remains partially open this year as it begins “winding up” renovations, a process she said is “necessary to protect” the museum’s artwork.

In a presentation to members and donors Monday night, Wadsworth Atheneum staff gave an overview of completed and planned changes, from waterproofing and other exterior renovations, to the development of a high security storage system to creation of its own heating-and-cooling plant. Though discussed, the museum would not be physically expanding its footprint, nor adding parking  — there are multiple parking garages within two blocks of the museum, along with on-street parking.

Much of the work remaining was described as what the museum “hopes” to see, with realization contingent on funding.

Some of the planned interior renovations include improved lighting, exposing original concrete structural elements, adding floor extensions to the Third Floor Platform Gallery located above the Amistad Center’s galleries, and adding restrooms. There will be improved signage and a more inviting welcome area.

Besides structural changes, the museum has been assessing the way it presents art. Robin Jaffee Frank, Chief Curator, described the various ways galleries could be arranged, with art in chronological order to show works in context of history, arranged as “cultural encounters,” and thematically. In 2015, the Wadsworth will be boasting some new acquistions including a work by Richard Tuttle, past MATRIX artist. Newly conserved artwork, like the Cabinet from Nuremberg, Germany, c. 1620, and Francis Xavier by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, c. 1670, will be displayed.

Following chatback sessions a few years ago, the museum recognized that people wanted the museum to feel “more relevant” to them. In 2009 the Wadsworth began including the hybrid “Connections” area that combines works of arts with hands-on activities, allowing visitors to participate rather than passively observe. Johanna Plummer, the museum’s Director of Education, said this area of active engagement will expand in 2015.  The Highlights audio tour, already in English and Spanish, will start using video with American Sign Language. Additional video, such as that of an artist speaking about the process, will be available through QR codes that can be scanned by smart phones. There was more talk of giving visitors an “immersive experience,” particularly in the Cabinet of Curiosities room; this would involve adding technology.

Talbott explained that there will be two major re-openings in 2015: first, in late January and again in autumn. This will mean 31 newly renovated galleries re-opening, some of which, she said, have been closed for over a decade.

Two special exhibitions will mark the re-opening, currently scheduled for January 31, 2015. One will be Coney Island: Visions of an American Dreamland, 1861-2008. Why 2008? That was the year Astroland closed. This exibit will include film clips, carousel animals, and ephemera. Opening on October 17, 2015  is the Warhol and Mapplethorpe: Guise and Dolls exhibit, which was described by Jaffee Frank as including “portraiture, masculinity, femininity, and gender bending.”

The Wadsworth recently received $5 million from the Connecticut State Bond Commission; this brings the State’s total contributions to the museum up to $25 million for this restoration project. The renovation project’s complete price tag is listed at $33 million.