RCCAM Renovation Updates

In December 2023, the Miami University Art Museum received a substantial gift, resulting in the renaming as the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM). With the gift came funding for an important renovation of the nearly 50-year-old building resulting in many updates and improvements, and programmatic and functional changes geared towards improving the visitor and educational experience. Staff look forward to work beginning later this year, and even more excited about the future as we prepare for RCCAM’s next 50 years.

The renovations include a major overhaul of the mechanicals and the replacement of all windows. Improvements to collections storage will improve preservation and access to our nearly 18,000 objects. Important to the visitor experience is an expanded entrance and a more spacious foyer. The renovated auditorium will allow greater flexibility and will feature an outdoor patio looking onto Western Campus. The addition of a family restroom will offer greater accessibility for all visitors. The creation of two formal classrooms will greatly improve educational and program offerings. A revamped entrance to the first gallery will improve flow to the rest of the exhibition spaces, which includes a new Leica Camera and photography gallery. Renovation to an existing gallery will enable the presentation of contemporary time-based new media and film art exhibitions. The addition of a modular wall system will allow curatorial staff to change the dynamics of each exhibition, in each gallery. While most of the renovation is funded, assistance is still being sought to bring all of these important changes to fruition.

With all of the excitement, there is the sad news that RCCAM will be closed for one year to complete all of the preparation and renovations. The wait, however, will absolutely be worth it when we reopen in the Fall 2027 semester. Updates on this project will be posted regularly on this page.

Jason E. Shaiman
Interim Director
Curator of Exhibitions