Increasing Access to Art
A group of students tour the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA). Parts of DOMA will undergo major changes—with funds raised in the campaign—to expand its footprint.
The David Owsley Museum of Art is expanding its footprint
Uplift. Educate. Inspire. Art can do all of that and more—which is why it is meant to be shared with, and experienced by, as many people as possible.
With donor support during the Our Call to Beneficence comprehensive campaign, Ball State University’s David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) plans to add to its already broad reach by expanding in ways that will make this world-class facility and its treasures accessible to even more students, faculty, staff, and members of the off-campus community. With that comes the potential to improve the museum visitor experience and multiply DOMA’s cultural offerings to East Central Indiana and beyond.
Without altering the exterior of its iconic Fine Arts Building on the campus’ Quad, the DOMA expansion will repurpose existing interior space that has long served as labs, classrooms, and offices for the Department of Environment, Geology, and Natural Resources (EGNR). Plans underway for EGNR to relocate to the renovated Cooper Science Building (just west of the museum) will leave DOMA with approximately 9,500 square feet, in various parts of the building, to be strategically repurposed.
DOMA’s educational mission includes welcoming Ball State’s campus community, K-12 students, and lifelong learners. The museum, which does not charge an admission fee, had more than 35,000 visits annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to DOMA Director Dr. Robert La France. That includes more than 5,000 pre-registered visits by Ball State students who came to the museum as part of a class—and about 3,500 local K-12 students who visited DOMA as part of a pre-registered program. DOMA is experiencing steady upticks toward its pre-pandemic annual visitation figure.
“As we’re able to make these fantastic changes, renovations, and expansion within the historic building’s envelope, we’ll be ready to accommodate our pre-pandemic number of annual visits and more,” Dr. La France said. Dr. Seth Beckman, MM ’90 DA ’96, dean of Ball State’s College of Fine Arts, agrees.
“We never lose sight of our function as part of a university that serves students, the community, and the greater good,” Dean Beckman said. “With this expansion, we can deepen and broaden our community engagement and outreach.”
Interior renovations will be done to maximize the usage of space. Former EGNR classrooms will be converted into object study and hands-on activity rooms for visiting K-12 students. Additionally, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system will be upgraded for continued protection of the collection through internal climate control.
The museum will also gain capacity to display more art by increasing gallery space, and adding more storage area for works of art that aren’t on display. Already, DOMA has well over 12,000 original works representing all seven continents—a testament to Ball State’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
While most of the major changes will take place on the ground floor, part of the top floor will be the site of a significant transformation. Museum office space there will be converted into a “white cube” gallery—a minimalistic, white-walled, well-lit display area for contemporary art. DOMA’s office operations will be relocated to the first floor. Consolidating existing storage space on the top floor with storage areas on the first
In this photo from 1962, Burris Laboratory School students get a guided tour of the museum. For decades, the museum has welcomed community members from near and far.
floor will also create more space for exhibiting modern art.
DOMA student employee Olivia Miller, a senior in Ball State’s Art Education program, is excited about what the expansion can mean for visitors interestedin experiencing art up close. In her role as an education assistant at the museum, Ms. Miller develops and leads tours, creates educational programming for visitors, and runs activities at community events.
“As a student working in museum education and training to be a public school teacher, I understand how important it is to see art in person,” Ms. Miller said. “This museum is a gem for this community. DOMA’s collection is extensive, and having more space to display work would expand the types of tours we can lead, as well as the subject matter visitors will view. Everyone in the community will benefit from this expansion, and we are all so proud to be a part of a museum that is alive, vibrant, and growing.”
About David T. Owsley
DOMA is named after David T. Owsley, a major benefactor and significant fundraiser for the museum. Mr. Owsley, a Muncie native, is the son of Alvin and Lucy Ball Owsley, and the grandson of Frank C. Ball, one of the five New York brothers who relocated their glass container business to Muncie and help establish the University. Frank C. Ball was instrumental in the construction of the Fine Arts Building in 1935–36. Through the years, Ball family members, including David T. Owsley, have donated or loaned more than 6,000 works of art to the museum. In recognition of Mr. Owsley’s generosity, he was awarded Ball State’s President’s Medal of Distinction in 1989, and an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2005.
