Expanding Access at Rollins Museum of Art

Using the Rollins Museum of Art’s new 32,000-square-foot facility in downtown Winter Park as a focal point, Anderson contends that accessibility must remain a priority throughout periods of growth and transition.

Anderson notes that many museums temporarily close during major construction or relocation projects to manage logistics such as packing collections, installing exhibitions, and preparing new spaces. While these closures are often seen as necessary, she challenges whether they align with a museum’s mission to engage and serve the public. Upon arriving at Rollins, she observed that the museum closed for a total of six weeks each year during exhibition changes. To address this, the museum adopted staggered exhibition schedules, allowing it to remain open year-round. It also expanded accessibility by introducing earlier opening hours and maintaining free admission.

Looking ahead to the museum’s move from the Rollins campus to its new downtown home, Anderson emphasizes that the institution will continue to prioritize public engagement. Rather than treating the transition as a logistical burden, the museum plans to offer artist-driven programming and immersive installations that keep visitors connected to art during the move. Collaborations with artists Anne-Karin Furunes, Lilian Garcia-Roig, and La Vaughn Belle will help transform the transition period into a creative and public-facing experience.

Ultimately, Anderson argues that museums have a responsibility to remain accessible and welcoming, even during periods of major change. By reducing closures, expanding programming, and inviting the public to participate in its evolution, the Rollins Museum of Art aims to demonstrate that the best way to build excitement for a new museum is not to shut people out, but to bring them in.

Read the complete op-ed here.