Allentown Art Museum announces move

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Big changes are coming in downtown Allentown. 

The Allentown Art Museum has just announced plans for a move. 

The museum said it plans to relocate to a new building at the intersection of 10th Street and Hamilton Street, where it hopes to expand access to the arts and serve as a cultural anchor for the Lehigh Valley.  

According to museum officials the plans were able to move forward thanks to the approval of a purchase of a parcel of land from the Allentown Parking Authority at Wednesday’s public meeting.  

Max Weintraub, president and CEO of the museum said the new site will extend the city’s arts corridor, connecting cultural, entertainment, and dining spaces, and driving increased foot traffic to surrounding businesses. 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the Allentown Art Museum as a vibrant cultural hub,” said Weintraub. “By relocating to 10th and Hamilton, we are not only expanding access to the arts but also contributing to the revitalization of downtown Allentown and creating a legacy for future generations.” 

Weintraub said the museum’s programing has outgrown its current building.   

“I’m extremely grateful that our Board and the city have the vision to take on this exciting opportunity,” he said. 

The new museum will include expanded exhibition and art storage, to showcase and protect the Museum’s collection of 20,000-plus objects; and multiple education, event, and community gathering areas. 

“This moment reflects years of thoughtful planning by the Board, the leadership of Dr. Max Weintraub, and an extraordinary team dedicated to growing the Museum’s impact,” said Michelle Stringer, Chair of the Board of the Allentown Art Museum. “This relocation reinforces our values, including our commitment to free admission for all. We are grateful to the Allentown Parking Authority and civic leaders, including Mayor Tuerk, for helping make this bold next chapter for the AAM possible.” 

Museum officials said they spent several years studying the project, including exploring a third renovation of its current site—which was originally constructed as a church.  

Ultimately, feasibility studies confirmed that designing and building a new, purpose-built museum is not only more cost-effective than renovation, but also better aligned with the museum’s mission and long-term vision.  

Within only a slightly larger footprint than the current building, the new facility will have expanded galleries, art storage, and education spaces.  

The museum will continue to operate out of its current building until the new facility is complete. 

No decision has been made on the future of that building has been made at this point.