Va. art museum closing for 10 months

RICHMOND, Va. - The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is closing for 10 months in order to complete a $150 million expansion project.

Visitors can view exhibits at the Richmond museum until Sunday evening. Statewide programs and exhibitions will not be interrupted. Other classes and programs will continue.

The grand reopening will be May 1. When the museum reopens next year it will have an additional 165,000 square feet, allowing for larger gallery and special exhibition space. That's in addition to the existing 380,000 square feet of the museum. The expansion also includes a 600-space parking deck.

Officials say the closure is necessary for the safety of the art collection as well as the visitors.