Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the museum move from Museum Hill?
Several years ago, it became apparent to the museum boards (two groups comprised of more than 40 volunteers, all residents of the Quad Cities) that the museum desperately needed to expand. Only 1% of the permanent collection currently could be on permanent display. At the old location the boards decided, through extensive meetings, including several public gatherings, that a new site in downtown Davenport would be a better location for the museum.

The museum’s new downtown location is accessible to every Quad City citizen—a landmark building where people of all ages gather to create, view and experience art.

Much like the Mark has stimulated development in Moline, the Figge Art Museum stimulates new development in downtown Davenport—starting from within—with a museum store and full service restaurant, a 140 seat auditorium for meetings and performances and greatly expanded educational facilities.

 

What about flooding?
The Figge Art Museum is built above a 70 – car parking structure (for U.S. Bank employees only) that will protect the block it sits on from floodwaters. The walls of the parking area are engineered as a floodwall. The first floor of the Figge is 15 feet above River Drive and approximately 3 feet higher than 2nd Street. The Ground Transportation Center, U.S. Bank, the Radisson Hotel and Community Health Center are examples of facilities on the same elevation that remained open during the flood of 2001. The Figge is no different.

Why was an architect from London selected to design the new facility?
The search for an architect to design the new Figge Art Museum began with requests for qualifications sent to over 100 architectural firms throughout the world, including local firms. David Chipperfield & Associates, London, was chosen for the firm’s sensitivity to our urban design program and the challenges our site presented. David Chipperfield is internationally known and is currently working on a variety of projects from the redevelopment and renovation of Berlin’s Museum Island to the new Des Moines Public Library. Herbert Lewis Kruse Blunck Architects are the local architects of record.

Why are art and the Figge Art Museum important to the Quad Cities?
According to the May 2001 issues of Newsweek Magazine, over one billion people visited museums last year – more than double the attendance at all sporting events combined. The Figge Art Museum is a vital social, educational and tourist center.

The Figge Art Museum offers exciting programs that help us appreciate and learn about art. Major exhibitions provide a chance to learn about history, other cultures, creative approaches to problem solving and more. People of all ages and ability levels  take studio art classes. Area teachers will incorporate FAM exhibitions and collections into school curricula. People all over the world are able to explore the collections via this new web site.

 

How much did the Figge Art Museum cost?
The Figge Art Museum cost $46.9 million.

 

How does the Figge Art Museum relate to other Quad Cities cultural organizations?
The museum board and staff are working cooperatively with many non-profit organizations in the Quad Cities on programs and services that strengthen our mission to serve the Quad City region. It is our goal not to duplicate services, but rather to work together to expand upon the great projects these groups are doing. The museum currently has cooperative programs with the Scott County Y, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Davenport Community Schools, Rock Island-Milan School District No. 41, Moline School District, Bettendorf Community School District, St. Ambrose University and Augustana College. It is also working cooperatively with the Artists’ Advisory Council established as an advisory group of artists from the Quad Cities to assist the museum in developing programs and exhibitions that serve area artists.

 

Does the Figge appraise art?
We do not offer appraisal or restoration services. However, the contact information for the Appraisers Association of America, Inc. is listed below.

• The Appraisers Association of America, Inc.
  386 Park Avenue South, Suite 2000
  New York, NY 10016
  Website: http://www.appraisersassoc.org
  Phone: 212.889.5404 x10 for general inquiries