The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, located in Kansas City, Missouri is recognized nationally and internationally. The museum’s renowned collection has more than 33,500 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and new American Indian and Egyptian galleries.
When considering upgrading its halogen lamps to LEDs to save energy, the museum wanted to ensure that any new light maintained a true rendering of the art, and as the mediums were illuminated, the artists’ message or creation were not dulled.
Clint Paugh, Lighting Designer for the Nelson-Atkins, had to go through a thorough testing process that lasted more than eight months and started with more than 15 lighting manufacturers that were narrowed down based on performance criteria.
“Part of our mission at the Nelson-Atkins is to nurture excellence, inspire creativity and build community through the power of art. Light plays a vital role in fulfilling those goals. Changing our lighting didn’t just involve changing out light bulbs; it was a project that impacted the museum to its core. As a result, it needed to be handled with extreme diligence,” said Paugh.
