Why build a new Salvador Dali Museum?

The priceless collection of Dali's work, which is the largest outside his home country of Spain, desperately needs protection from the elements and adequate room for display.

The current museum is highly vulnerable to damage from storms. When a storm threatens, the collection must actually be removed and placed in a secure location. Additionally, the museum is simply too small to effectively display both Dali's art and artwork from other artists through temporary exhibitions.

Where will the new museum be located?

The new Dali will overlook Tampa Bay in the beautiful Florida West Coast city of

St. Petersburg, just 20 minutes from Tampa International Airport. The new museum will be only blocks north of the current museum, and adjacent to the Mahaffey Theater within the Progress Energy Center for the Arts.

How big is the new museum?

The new Dali will be 66,450 square feet, which is more than twice the size of the current 30,000-square-foot Dali Museum. The new museum will offer 50 percent more gallery space than the current facility.

So, more of Dali's artwork will be on display?

Yes! One of the exciting features of the new Dali Museum will be the space to display many more of the 2,140 treasures in the collection. The museum owns 96 Dali oil paintings, which will be on year-round permanent display in the new museum.

Who designed the new museum?

The new Dali is designed by internationally acclaimed architect Yann Weymouth of Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc. (HOK). He worked alongside architect I.M. Pei on the renovation of the Louvre in Paris.

What will we find inside?

A spiral staircase resembling a strand of DNA will greet visitors as they enter the new museum. On the first floor, visitors will find the reception center, an extensive museum store, a 90-seat orientation theater, the 150-seat community room, and café with indoor and outdoor seating.

The second floor will house the museum's administrative offices and an extensive research library open to the public by appointment.

On the third floor, visitors will discover both the permanent collection hall and the temporary exhibition wings, connected by a sculpture gallery overlooking Tampa Bay. Museum visitors will be surrounded by a flowing glass dome that rises 75 feet from the plaza.

What will be unique about the exterior of the new Dali?

The museum will be a work of art reflective of Dali's unique juxtaposition of classical and fantastic elements. A huge glass structure will flow forth from a "treasure box" housing the artwork, and a giant boulder from Dali's homeland will appear to support a corner of the building.

Visitors, teachers and students can wander through a spiral topiary maze and discover a garden that marries math, science and art in geometric illustrations.

How will the new museum protect artwork from storm damage?

The walls of the new building will be made of 18-inch-thick concrete designed to withstand 165 mph winds. The artwork, located above the floodplain on the third floor, will be protected through intense weather up to a Category 5 storm surge.

When will construction begin and how long with it take?

Construction commences in December 2008. With a two-year construction timetable, the new museum should be completed in fall of 2010. Grand Opening celebrations will occur in the winter months of 2011.

How much will the new museum cost and who is paying for it?

Construction costs for the new Dali Museum will run approximately $35 million. We have raised about $25 million from the following sources: Generous private donors, the State of Florida, the U.S. Government and the University of South Florida (from sale of the current museum facility and land). The city of St. Petersburg has also provided a lease of land for the new museum at virtually no cost.

How much more does the museum need to raise?

The museum is still seeking about $10 million to fund the cost of construction. In addition, the museum will be seeking a $15-$20 million endowment to cover operational costs in the new facility.

How will the Dali museum raise the additional funds?

We are convinced that Bay area supporters of arts and culture - as well as those from other areas of the state, nation and world - will be moved to give when they recognize the importance of properly preserving and displaying the treasures in the Dali collection.

We are also seeking additional grant opportunities to assist in raising the remaining funds. After our public groundbreaking ceremony on Dec. 12, 2008, we will begin an exciting community capital campaign with a variety of giving levels.

For more information, please call 727.823.3767 or
visit the museum website at www.theDali.org