When will the Barnes collection open in its new location?

Arts and Culture reporter Peter Crimmins comes to the rescue of a reader who wants to know when the move to Center City will be complete.

The world-famous Barnes art collection is leaving Lower Merion this weekend. The Barnes Foundation is anticipating that the construction of the new galleries will be completed by the new year, but the building must be “cured” for a few months. In other words, for the protection of the artwork, the climate-control systems must be tested, and the construction materials must settle into their permanent state. 

Before moving the collection, each object will be given a once-over by conservators, and any issues with the paint surface, the canvas, or the frame will be repaired.

For security reasons, the Foundation is not disclosing when the actual transportation will take place.

The new gallleries are expected to be open to the public in the summer of 2012.