Our Future

In August 2024, after reviewing proposals from an extensive list of California-based firms, the Museum selected Jensen Architects of San Francisco to collaborate with its many stakeholders on the redevelopment of its downtown campus. With Jensen's expertise, the Museum will re-imagine its current Pacific Street location including the historic Miller Adobe that MMA acquired in 2023, and which is located directly across Frances Elkins Park from the Museum.   

The decision to engage Jensen Architects occurred following a comprehensive feasibility study conducted for the Museum by Lord Cultural Resources and HMC Architects between 2021-2023. Based on the study's recommendations, the Board unanimously voted to focus its capital development plans at the Museum's Pacific Street location in this historic district of Monterey, to maintain La Mirada for special events?and future mission-driven development, and to sell its parcel of land on Perry Lane.

The Museum's capital development planning has been reinforced by the organization's consistent growth, organizational stability, and steady leadership since its re-opening post pandemic in May 2021. Guided by MMA's Board of Trustees and Executive Director Corey Madden, the Museum has grown its operational and fundraising capacity, as well as markedly increased its attendance and regional visibility for its dynamic exhibitions and welcoming public programming. In this respect, forward-thinking stewardship continues to be one of the Museum's most important responsibilities. 

Looking forward, Jensen Architects, the Museum and community stakeholders will collaboratively envision and plan a vibrant arts campus to welcome and delight visitors of all ages. More expansively this project promises to transform and activate to historic district, through an ongoing partnership with the City of Monterey as well as with neighboring arts, cultural and historic organizations such as Casa Gutierrez, Larkin House, Colton Hall, Monterey Library, and the Monterey Youth Arts Collective. MMA envisions creating a welcoming experience of the diversity of California art in the heart of a vibrant historic district with long-term benefits for Monterey County and the broader mid-coast region.

Starting in September 2024 the Museum and Jensen Architects embarked on an 8-month pre-design process to define experiential and practical needs for the future museum campus. The planned renovation will ensure future relevance, functionality and sustainability of the Museum while also attracting visitors to the historic district. By creatively adapting its historic Pacific Street location while collaborating with the City, State Parks, and cultural partners Monterey Museum of Art will become a catalyst for future transformation of Monterey and continue to fulfill its mission as welcoming community arts and cultural hub for the mid-coast region for generations to come.

For more detailed information, please see our press release.