las vegas museum of art secures site for francis kéré building

francis kéré to design las vegas museum of art

The City Council of Las Vegas approved detailed plans for the future Las Vegas Museum of Art (LMVA) and granted 1.5 acres of land in Symphony Park to serve as the new institution’s site. As part of their submission, the Trustees of LVMA unveiled an initial concept by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kéré. Serving over two million year-round residents, the 8,361 sqm museum is thoughtfully organized, with two stories of exhibition space above an open plaza and adjacent sculpture park. The design turns the Plaza into a front porch, creating an inclusive environment where public amenities intertwine with community events.

Fundraising is in the quiet phase, with a public campaign to be announced within the following months. Construction is expected to start no later than February 2027 and is estimated to generate $191 million in economic activity for Las Vegas (including $80 million in wages). More than 300,000 students in the Clark County School District live within a 10-mile radius of the Symphony Park site and will be among the residents who will benefit from LVMA.

render © Kéré Architecture

expanding symphony park’s cultural landscape

Reflecting on the architectural concept, Francis Kéré, founder of Kéré Architecture, shares: ‘Our design blends the beauty of the desert environment with local building principles and the passion and collaborative spirit of the Las Vegas Museum of Art to create a space where dreams come to life.’ LVMA will take its place in Symphony Park alongside institutions, including The Smith Center for the Performing Arts (home to the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theater) and the Discovery Children’s Museum. The centrally located 61-acre arts, culture, science, and medical care district is also home to more than 600 residential units. It will soon feature a new 400-room hotel by Marriott, serving the adjacent exhibition and convention center, The Expo at World Market Center.

The museum will be developed in partnership with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest and most comprehensive museum in the Western United States. Through this partnership, LVMA will be able to borrow artworks, mount exhibitions, adapt educational programs, and draw from LACMA’s extensive professional expertise, enabling it to operate at the highest level from its inception.

Francis Kéré | image © Astrid Eckert via Kéré Architecture on Instagram