The Goode Works on Paper Center is a transformative addition to the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, designed to enhance public engagement with an otherwise hidden portion of the museum’s collection. The center is home to nearly 10,000 photographs, drawings, and prints — one-third of the museum’s permanent collection — and provides state-of-the-art storage, conservation, and study facilities, ensuring both accessibility and long-term preservation.
Situated within the museum’s main building, adjacent to the McKinnon Contemporary Galleries, the 2,100-square-foot facility serves as a dynamic intersection between scholarship, education, and public experience. Visitors, artists, and researchers can now engage with the collection in a dedicated study room, eliminating the logistical barriers of traditional archival storage and making the museum’s works on paper more readily available for exploration.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the project reflects a deep commitment to arts accessibility and preservation. The center accommodates classroom settings, study groups, and curatorial research, reinforcing the Chrysler’s mission of bringing art and people together.
Architectural solutions prioritize both security and visibility, integrating archival best practices with an open, inviting atmosphere. The center’s design allows museum staff to conduct conservation, recordkeeping, and curation within the space, fostering a new level of transparency in collections care.
The Goode Works on Paper Center is a testament to the power of thoughtful museum design — bridging the gap between collection stewardship and public engagement while ensuring that the Chrysler Museum’s vast works on paper remain an enduring resource for generations to come.
