(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) – In the wake of the passage of a funding bill in the State House of Representatives that includes a $25.4 million grant to MASS MoCA for its Phase III renovation, MASS MoCA announced yesterday that it is embarking on the final phase of its multi-decade effort to renovate its 26-building, 600,000-sq.-ft., 16-acre factory campus. Phase III development will include the addition of some 130,000 square feet of gallery space, ultimately doubling the space currently available for exhibitions, plus significant work on its performing arts courtyards and other exterior venues.

The stage legislature passed HR 3920, an omnibus capital improvement act, which now goes to the State Senate for consideration. Passage is expected.

MASS MoCA opened in 1999 with 200,000 square feet of space renovated for galleries, stages, rehearsal studios, and art fabrication facilities. During its Phase II expansion (2002-2008), the museum renovated an additional 200,000, including more galleries, performing arts facilities, outdoor festival fields and courtyards, and 125,000 square feet of commercial lease space. Phase III will largely complete the makeover of MASS MoCA’s 19th-century factory campus.