VMFA celebrates 90 years, receives major community support for expansion fundraising campaign

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) officially launched the public phase of its comprehensive campaign with its See Yourself Here: VMFA Community Celebration on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

The free event, which kicked off See Yourself Here: The Campaign for VMFA and celebrated the museum’s 90th anniversary brought more than 7,000 people from the community together, including museum members and visitors, along with board members, campaign donors and civic leaders, to celebrate the museum and share information about the vision for its future.

Guests enjoyed a free lineup of live music, performances, DJs, art activities and gallery tours reflecting the museum’s mission of providing all Virginians with accessibility to the arts.

“This celebration is just the beginning,” said Director and CEO Alex Nyerges. “We are building something that belongs to everyone in the Commonwealth, and we invite the entire community to see themselves here at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.”

The See Yourself Here: VMFA Community Celebration event marked a major milestone in The Campaign for VMFA, which has now raised nearly $410 million towards its overall goal.

In 2020, VMFA’s expansion and renovation was approved by former Governor Ralph Northam and the Virginia General Assembly.

The total cost for the expansion project, the largest in the museum’s 90-year history, is $261 million, which will be funded through a combination of public and private funds. The Campaign for VMFA also seeks to raise an additional $105 million for endowments to support exhibitions, conservation, education and statewide outreach programs, as well as $105 million for museum operations.

Nyerges and other museum leaders expressed gratitude for the public’s strong support for the expansion and emphasized the importance of continued community involvement. “With momentum and excitement building, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts looks ahead to reaching our full campaign goal and breaking ground soon,” Nyerges said.

The expansion will enable VMFA to share more art, welcome more visitors and provide more enjoyment on a seamless journey through the museum’s ever-growing permanent art collections, which today number more than 50,000 artworks.

“Virginians value VMFA as a cultural hub where community, creativity, inclusivity and opportunity intersect. Investing in the museum’s expansion is an investment in the future of the Commonwealth. I’m proud to support their mission to bring world-class art and education experiences to every corner of Virginia,” stated Governor Abigail Spanberger.

VMFA will grow by approximately 173,000 square feet, making the museum approximately 25% larger. Once the expansion is completed, the museum will be the fourth-largest comprehensive art museum in the nation, and its gallery spaces will rank nationally as the second-largest space for African art, the fourth-largest space for American art and the fourth-largest space devoted to photography.

“This project is about stewarding our cultural resources for future generations and expanding access to the arts,” said House Appropriations Committee Vice-Chair Betsy Carr. “By helping to fund VMFA’s expansion, we are creating jobs and boosting tourism. This important investment reflects our commitment in the General Assembly to both economic growth and enriching the quality of life for all Virginians.”

A recent economic impact study completed by Chmura Economics & Analytics revealed that in fiscal year 2025, VMFA had a statewide economic impact of nearly $194 million and supported more than 1,700 jobs. For every $1 invested in the museum, Virginia receives $5.50 in return. Visitor spending contributed to $3.3 million in tax revenue for the state and $1 million to the City of Richmond.

Danny Avula, Mayor of Richmond, also noted how the museum’s expansion will add value. “The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts captures the spirit of our city — diverse, creative and progressive,” he said. “The expanded museum will ensure that even more residents and visitors can engage with meaningful experiences that reflect who we are as a community.”

“VMFA is an invaluable resource for Virginia educators and learners of all ages thanks to free school visits, distance learning, teaching resources, professional development, family programming and more. I am proud to support expanded access to these opportunities,” added Senator Lamont Bagby.