As arts and cultural organizations seek to create more participation, access, and engagement, their spaces must do more.

In our post-pandemic world, arts and cultural facilities are being reimagined as interactive destinations for community gathering, multidisciplinary performance, immersive exhibition, and technological experimentation. Inside and out, these buildings must reflect and inspire the communities they serve and be ready for what’s next.

HGA’s arts and cultural practice is a creative and collaborative team who uses our expertise and passion for the arts to design beautiful, sustainable, and equitable environments.

Over the past six decades, we have developed a national reputation for designing extraordinary cultural facilities that artfully balance form with function. Our breadth of experience and expertise gives us a unique view of peer benchmarks and technical innovations relevant to our clients. This, along with a deeply collaborative and curious spirit, often results in unexpected solutions that go beyond our client’s highest expectations.

Arts, Community, and Education Market Sector Leader,
Rebecca Celis, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Rebecca Celis

Meet our Arts & Culture team
Markets

Our expertise includes:


For information, contact
Amy Braford Whittey
National Arts Market Strategist
P: 612.758.4333

How we work

Our work succeeds because it is always built upon a foundation of insight into the unique needs of each client and their communities. To develop this insight, we begin with an investigation into the history, mission, and vision of our client organizations. Only then does our process turn to design, resulting in built environments that meet and exceed expectations time after time.

Our experience includes planning, programming, and designing museums, performing arts centers, visual arts facilities, and cultural venues for some of the country’s most prominent and aspirational cultural institutions, from facilities on colleges and university campuses to civic and nonprofit organizations. We are proud to collaborate with clients nationwide to broaden the reach of the arts and create lasting impact for communities.

Integrated Approach
Diversity, Equity
and Inclusivity
Research
Sustainability
and Resilience

Integrated Approach

A unique aspect of HGA’s national arts practice is our integrated approach to the planning, design, and technical systems required by complex arts and cultural facilities. Our experienced engineers and cost estimators work side-by-side with the design team and our consultants from day one to develop solutions that are well-informed and achievable.

Diversity, Equity
and Inclusivity

Arts and cultural facilities are often among the most visible and beloved buildings within their communities. But we know they don’t always project a sense of welcoming to all. HGA’s arts and cultural practice harnesses our cutting-edge research, community engagement expertise, extensive partnerships, and collaborative design process to design arts and cultural facilities that are welcoming, accessible, and create a confident and inspiring experience for their communities.

Research

HGA has a robust research practice of design anthropologists, data experts and engagement specialists who can be embedded into our project teams, or operate as an independent research group. To date, we’ve invested in more than 35 research investigations, including visitor experience studies using real time geolocation technology, predicting COVID effects on museum openings, measuring building health and well-being, mass timber construction and design for equity. Our research aims to harness the power of data to help arts and cultural clients create welcoming, inclusive design with an enduring impact.

Sustainability
and Resilience

HGA is committed to designing sustainable and resilient arts and cultural facilities that are welcoming to diverse communities, support the health and wellbeing of their inhabitants, reach the highest level of building performance, minimize impact on the environment, and reduce operational costs. We work with our cultural clients to develop performance targets, plan for resiliency, leverage technology, and consider life-cycle costs to make informed decisions.