Leaders of the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives or GRAAMA, officially got the keys to their new building at 41 Sheldon Avenue SE this week.
It’s 15 times bigger than its current location.
“There will be gallery space along with an event space. There's going to be a gift shop. There will be a movie theater that will also be a kind of performance hall as well, so it'll be a really great arts and cultural space for downtown Grand Rapids.”
Board member Richard App notes GRAAMA had long outgrown its previous space on Monroe Center, storing 90% of its collection out of public view.
App says the new space brings the museum new opportunities to collaborate, pointing to neighboring Bamboo, a co-working company offering workspace, conference room, lounges and private offices.
“Where GRAAMA is, where Bamboo is going, we're going to have two independent theaters within a few blocks - independent movie theaters - within a few blocks of each other and what an incredibly cool thing for our city.”
App says the museum’s current site on Monroe is still open, hosting Art Prize this month, then staff will begin transitioning to Sheldon Avenue after minor renovations.
For a weekly dose of news right to your inbox, sign up for the WGVU newsletter.
