Since 1967, the Wichita Falls Museum of Art has been host to a great variety of art fairs, concerts and a myriad at cultural events.

Francine Carraro, museum director said, “The museum grounds have also been a wonderful site for weddings and parties.”

After considerable planning, the management wanted to enhance the facility to better serve the community.

According to Carraro, “We wanted to enhance the facility to better serve the community. We want to create a premier outdoor facility for museum events and programs, for community use and cultural events, and for rentals for weddings and private parties.”

So beginning last summer, work on major renovations has begun on the exterior of the building.

Carraro said, “The exterior improvements includes a new road on the south, a renovated parking lot with more spaces, ADA parking, and sufficient room for school buses to drop off students at the museum’s front door and also the exciting architectural feature is the amphitheater and permanent pavilion with a stage, and a large terrace.”

Additionally, Jeff Desborough, university facility project manager said construction for the amphitheater would consist of a 3,600 sq. ft. terrence, a 1,250 sq. ft. stage with 130 fixed seats, 14 temporary handicapped seating with four handicapped spaces and approximately 300 temporary seats.

Since the start of renovation, patrons were slightly inconvenienced but this did not hinder their visit to the museum or from viewing the gallery.

Carraro said, “The current exterior improvement project has inconvenienced patrons slightly as we have had to use a temporary entrance on the west side of the building, but no event has been cancelled. We will remain open to the public and maintaining our busy schedule of public and private events.”

Upon completion of renovation and construction of the amphitheater, the museum is expected to host large events with an increase in capacity for patrons.

Mary Helen Maskill, museum public program director, said this would be a great opportunity for the museum as it helps to increase revenue.

Maskil said, at this present moment there is no facility in Wichita Falls that can host a large audience, this is what the public wants and they will be seeing it after March 2015.

While there are no plans to renovate the interior, Carraro said, “The interior was renovated last year with renovated public restrooms, a refurbished Art Lounge, and a much enhanced events hall.”

Each summer, the WFMA host popular art classes and workshops for the children and partnered with the schools district to bring awareness to the teachers and students about the artworks on showcase at the museum.

Carraro said, “We are always seeking new ways and means to reach children and provide enriching art experiences for them. We have an excellent relationship with the Wichita Falls Independent School District and we work with teachers to ensure that our gallery tours meet their curricular needs and their expectations”

The cost of renovate and the construction of the amphitheater is approximately $500,000, partially funded by the Priddy Foundation, individuals and other foundations that have helped fund this project.