The Renovation Plan of the Museum of Fine Arts

Tbilisi, 04/2021 The Georgian National Museum

The Georgian National Museum – an umbrella support for a network of institutions – of experience on the present generations – represent a large percentage of the museum reflects the long and rich museum traditions of the country. Created in 2004, its structural, community, and are essential to nourishing a depth of experience and social cohesion institutional and legislative reforms aim at reinforcing the longer-term protection of the that are key values of the National Museum. rich collections housed in , after a period of enormous socio-economic and political instability. Furthermore, the network of the Georgian National Museum encourages and welcomes dialogue from within the museum sector and among the wider public, at all times, so as The main goal of creating this structure of inter-museum coordination were twofold: to build robust discussions and institutions. Firstly, it sought to consolidate the stretched resources available to care for much of Georgia’s moveable cultural heritage and its significant intellectual and scientific The development of the Georgian National Museum (hereon ‘GNM’) – meaning all research potential. Secondly, it aimed to foster dialogue between museums and their of the institutions within its network – has been endorsed by UNESCO, the EU and teams, so as to create mutually supportive relations and a better capacity to work other international organizations and NGOs, which have contributed to the strategy together as a sector. of the GNM and encouraged it to remain a pillar throughout the transition period and beyond, with a policy of openness to other museums and museum professionals wishing To guarantee effective maintenance and management of this national treasure a cohesive to join the network. management system was introduced and museum policy defined. The goal was to unify science and information databases, and to coordinate support for educational, academic The Georgian National Museum has integrated the country’s leading museums, the and museum activities. At the same time, the unification process carefully encouraged National Gallery and scientific research institutions into a coordinated system. Already and supported wide scope for each institution’s management to determine day-to-day reconstructed establishments of the Georgian National Museum are: functions, decision-making, team-building, collection management, programming and • Sighnaghi Museum (2007) strategic directions. • Dmanisi Museum-Reserve (2009) • Museum of Georgia (2011) This unified network of museums now includes an association, interdisciplinary scientific • National Gallery (2011) research, restoration and conservation activities, exhibition and educational work and • Samtskhe-Javakheti Museum (2012) co-operation with other establishments. Today local and international collaboration takes • Svaneti Museum (2013) place between educational and cultural institutions in both state and private sectors. • Bolnisi Museum (2020) And importantly, the older generations, who have passed their knowledge and decades • Vani Museum (2020)

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 2 1 | The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

The museums of hold rich and coherent collections that have evolved over centuries This ensemble of institutions has also facilitated the opportunity to create a multifunctional through careful acquisition and curatorial decisions. Street, one of museum complex with essential inter-institutional cooperation and mutual support the axes of Tbilisi’s Museum District, is the home of several key instructions supported structures for a wide spectrum of museum operations drawing on visitor-focused learning as part of the Georgian National Museum network: the Simon Janashia Museum of and exchanges, with facilities and equipment meeting all norms and requirements of Georgia, the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts, the Restoration-Conservation international standards. Importantly, this level of institutional efficiency in Georgia, Centre (RCC), the Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery. The National Parliamentary as a lesser developed country confronting severe socio-economic challenges, is an Library is also located in this precinct. Together, these institutions constitute an important invaluable resource not only for the museums in the precinct and the GNM network, but cultural centre within the capital, and one in which each museum benefits from access for all museums and cultural institutions in Georgia housing collections which are invited to the RCC in particular, both for collection care, research and security reasons. to benefit from access to the resources it holds.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 3 1| The FAM historical building. End of the 19th century. 2| The first exhibition of the National Gallery. “Old Masters Paintings”. 1920. 3| The FAM permnent exhibition. 1950s.

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2 2 3 3 3

1.1 | The Historical Building of the FAM – 1st building

Currently the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts occupies two buildings. The the significant part of the national treasures of Georgia (evacuated to between first historical building was erected in 1830s (finished c.1838) and is considered an 1921-1945) were transferred to FAM after their return to the country. This treasury immovable cultural property, representing Georgia’s architectural heritage (the highest constitutes an integral part of the collections as they have evolved over the 20th century, category – of national importance) and initially built for non-museum purposes. The and are critical to understanding much Georgian visual art, given the extent to which second block of the museum was built in 1980s, however, the construction remains they have inspired and continue to influence the aesthetic, iconographic and spiritual incomplete and the building has never been accepted/considered for exploitation. The nature of the country’s artists. Georgian National Museums hopes that this situation might change, so as to create a permanent conservation centre. Today, the FAM houses 14 collections: 2 archaeological collections; • The Mediaeval Christian treasury of Georgia; The predecessor of the Fine Arts Museum – the National Pictures Gallery was founded • Mediaeval painted icons; in 1920. The newly founded institution was temporarily housed in the building of the • Embroidery and textiles; former Russian Military Museum in Tbilisi – “The Temple of Glory” (present-day National • Georgian mural painting; Gallery). The FAM was relocated twice before it finally moved to the current building • Wood and stone made architectural fragments; in 1952. • Architectural drawings; • Modern Georgian paintings and drawings; The collections of the Fine Arts Museum were established on the basis of several museums • Western European fine arts; and institutions operating in Georgia of the time: The Museum of Georgia, the Society • Russian fine arts; of the History and Ethnography of Georgia, the Society of Spreading Literacy among • Fine arts of neighbouring countries and eastern Europe; , the Church Museum (Ecclesiastic Museum, later the Museum of Antiquities • Oriental Fine Arts; on the basis of ), as well as from private acquisitions. In 1946, • The library/archive.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 4 1.1 | The Historical Building of the FAM – 1st building

Problems relating to the insufficient storage and exhibition spaces in the FAM since the the collections at risk from environmental impacts in the entire museum building. late 1950s have led the Museum’s consecutive leadership to explore various solutions. The museum archive keeps the records of the plans that aimed to improve conditions, As said above, the building has never fully been adapted to the museum’s needs. The and which remained unrealized or incomplete. In 1980s, the construction of the FAM configuration and area of the building do not provide enough space for exhibition 2nd building started, but never completed due to the collapse of the USSR and the halls, storages, offices, conservation labs, and other supporting and technical zones, aftermath of the civil war in Georgia. which are required for the proper functioning of the museum. As of 1972 the condition of the building is considered “breakdown” or “failure”. According to the study of the “Integration of the museums in one complex creates the cultural centre, the highest Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau the condition of the building is evaluated as importance of which is completely evident, … that provides the opportunity to create “the damage rate: 3rd category” (2019). the group of museums in the centre: the latter is crucially important for the attraction of tourists and organisation of their flows; The Berlin Museum Island can best serve as an Furthermore, large-scale construction works that took place in the adjacent Freedom example.” Square, Alexander Pushkin and Lado Gudiashvili Streets in recent years have negatively Shalva Amiranashvili, 1973 impacted the condition of the FAM’s historical building. Changes in the transport infrastructure and the vehicle line running along the museum wall/façade on one side The FAM’s historical building has been in very poor condition for decades, and aside has also had a direct and negative impact on the building. from its insufficient space, its infrastructure requires full-scale renovation (structure, electricity, plumbing, acoustics, ventilation, and more). There are inappropriate climate The above factors have compounded the need for an urgent full-scale renovation of and environment conditions in the storage and exhibition rooms for the collections the FAM, as consecutive studies and condition reports have shown. Today, both the (elevated fluctuations of temperature and relative humidity in winter-summer periods). collections and FAM staff suffer unsafe conditions. The GNM is working tirelessly to The museum staff work in unsuitable conditions – by way of example, there are no address these needs in a coherent manner, which will ensure long-awaited stability, and comfortable back-of-house offices, nor basic requirements such as central heating in the a flourishing, of this important national institution. The project is a priority for the GNM building. Only the treasury exhibition and storage spaces are equipped with heating and the City of Tbilisi, given the historical importance of the site, its location in the city and air-conditioning systems (currently the apparatus is out-of-order). These shortfalls put and above all, the cultural significance of its collections.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 5 1.2 | The Preparatory Phase for the Renovation of the FAM

The collections housed in museums throughout Georgia have been stored in poor and Collection care: documentation, conservation: inappropriate conditions for decades due to diverse circumstances including the lack of funding for operations poor building maintenance, temperature fluctuations and relative With regard specifically to the FAM, the GNM’s notable efforts to improve the situation humidity due to the absence of climate control systems, and other factors. since 2005 include the following ongoing measures (temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic): In this challenging context, the GNM was established to centralize limited capacities and provide a clear identify for donors while fund-raising for multiple institutions. This • Carrying out diverse collection condition studies and condition reporting of the united networked enabled the GNM to act efficiently, drawing together a group of trained heritage nationals with the language skills essential or diverse fund-raising museum collections; efforts. Wherever possible, the GNM sought to act within the limits of its own resources • Documentation; creating inventories; digitisation; and to build local capacities among the wider museum sector, offering staff training and • Improvement of storage facilities and display conditions; bringing back to the wider personnel the benefits of any international training provided • Urgent conservation-restoration works, etc. to the core team.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 6 1.2 | The Preparatory Phase for the Renovation of the FAM

Renovation planning and actions • The Blue Shield • Embassies of the USA, France, Germany, etc. Given the critical state of the FAM, the GNM worked on a range of preparatory measures for safekeeping of the collections, while simultaneously fund-raising for the renovation In the framework of FAM renovation plan, the GNM prepared facilities for the temporary of the historic building. admission of FAM collections and staff. These included arranging appropriate spaces as follows in the buildings located in the proximity of the FAM: Preventative measures foresee the orderly and carefully documented movement of the • Exhibition and storage facilities FAM collections to temporary storage spaces with a view to emptying the FAM for future • Conservation laboratories structural and infrastructure works. • Staff offices (fully equipped with suitable environment/climate and security systems). The plan for moving the collections was prepared in close collaboration with international donor organisations, with which the GNM has been fostering ties for over a decade The following include: the Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery, Simon Janashia to support the museums of Georgia (within the GNM network and wherever possible, other museums requesting support as well). Museum of Georgia, the New Building of the Museum. • UNESCO • ICOM The collections relocation plan was prepared in full accordance with the guidelines • The Research and Restoration Centre of the Museums of France (Le Centre de and protocols adopted by standard-setting international organisations, notably ICOM Recherche et de Restauration des Musées de France) and ICCROM, in relation to security, preventative conservation and other critical • The Smithsonian Institution considerations. • Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation – Berlin State Museums (Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz – Berlin Museumsinsel) In addition to the above, the GNM secured funds from the EU to support the institutional • The Metropolitan Museum of Art development of the GNM (please see further details below), and in this framework • ICCROM implemented a pilot project for the temporary relocation of FAM’s collections.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 7 1.2 | The Preparatory Phase for the Renovation of the FAM

Timeline for the Relocation of the Specific Collections importance of this collection in Georgia, and the understandably sensitive nature of handling this collection. The relocation of this collection, being under the joint protection In the course of 2009-2012, the Oriental Fine Arts collections, previously exhibited of the Georgian State and the Orthodox Patriarchate of Georgia, is planned with the and stored in the deteriorating conditions in the historical building, were temporarily full involvement of the latter at every stage of decision-making. As of 2019, a special transferred and nearby situated Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, in the storage joint commission of the GNM and Patriarchate of Georgia also worked collaboratively spaces specifically planned for the collection. on the documentation and inventory of the Treasury. This work was suspended in March 2020 due to the restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, but remains a priority of The relocation plan of the Mediaeval Treasury from the FAM was elaborated with utmost importance to the GNM, the Orthodox Patriarchate of Georgia and indeed, the exceptional planning and care, in light of the extraordinary cultural and spiritual population of Georgia at large.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 8 1.3 | Launching a Renovation Project

Discussions about finding support for a project to renovate the FAM commenced in museum resources across the FAM, the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, the Dimitri 2005, shortly after the creation of the GNM network. Despite the ongoing financial and Shevardnadze National Gallery. To date, the Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia, socio-political challenges at this time, the GNM organized an international competition the Dimitri Shevardnadze National Gallery have benefited from renovations due to in the course of 2005 and 2006, with the result being the drafting of the ‘Tbilisi Museum the various impediments to greater progress. Both of these institutions will stand ready District Masterplan’ within which FAM’s renovation was an integral component. The to share experiences and support the renovation of the FAM, for which the GNM is approach taken was to treat the FAM within a wider context of improvements to the continuing to seek support and making inroads through its established relationships with precinct, in order to optimize the existing/surrounding environment and resources, various donors and organizations willing to provide assistance in kind through much- creating a compelling environment able to attract greater visitation and share the scarce needed capacity-building and expert missions.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 9 1.3 | Launching a Renovation Project

An example of this support includes the 2009-2011 twinning project between the Georgian National Museum and State Museums of Berlin, aimed at guiding the institutional development of GNM with the funding from of the European Union.

As a result of this collaboration, the detailed project of the Restoration-Conservation Centre (RCC) was designed (located in the 2nd building of the FAM), taking into consideration revised 2018 construction standards and regulations along with improved building/ engineering technologies.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 10 1.4 | International Missions and Exhibitions

The local and international undertakings of the GNM carried out in order to safeguard the uninterrupted function, accessibility and promotion of the FAM collections.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 11 1.4 | International Missions and Exhibitions

The local and international undertakings of the GNM carried out in order to safeguard the uninterrupted function, accessibility and promotion of the FAM collections.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 12 ∼

threats” hosted by the Georgian National Museum 1.5 | The Timeline of the FAM Key Dates for the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts (FAM) 2012 - Digitisation of the museum's entry record and inventory books. Preparation of the project for temporary exhibition of the Mediaeval Treasury at S. Janashia Museum of Georgia (including the showcases 2012 - 1838 - Construction of the FAM historical building for the hotel, residential and commercial purposes. individually made for treausry exhibits). Establishment of the National Pictures Gallery, the predecessor of the FAM, housed in the building of former Russian Military Museum in Tbilisi - Letters of the administration of the Georgian National Museum addressed to the Government of Georgia, the Ministry of Culture, Parliament of 1920 - the "Temple of Glory" (present-day National Gallery). 2012-present - Georgia and other authorities in regards to the severe condition of the Fine Arts Museum and urgent request of its renovation, including the 1934 - Rehousing of the museum to the Fortress, thereby further reference as "Metekhi Museum". proposition/presentation of the ways and methodologies of the resolution of the issue. 1952 - Relocation of the museum to its current historical building (partially reconstructed and adjusted to the museum use). 2012 - Preparation of the space and its adaptation specially for the exhibition of the Mediaeval Treasury collection at the Museum of Georgia. 1985 - Construction of the soviet building of the museum (building started in 1980s remains uncompleted). 2013-present - Documentation/making inventory of the collections: 10 collections completed, 4 collections - ongoing. 2004 - Unification of the Fine Arts Museum into the umbrella organisation of the Georgian National Museum. 2014 - Elaboration of the action plan for the preparation of the museum's historical building for renovation. ∼ 2016 - Art historical research / documentation of the building. Documents illustrating the severe conditions of the Fine Arts Museum before its unification under the umbrella of the GNM 2016 - 3D Scanning of the museum's historical building. 2016-2017 - Relocation of the collection of the wooden architectural fragments (and other wood-made objects). Seeking options to epxand the FAM historical building due to insufficient space for collections: elevate one floor, requests of transfer to other 1960s - present - 2017 - Geological study of the historical building of the museum. buildings, construction of the new building, and other unrealized/uncompleted projects. 2017 - Geological and structural study of the 2nd building (RCC) of the museum. Letter by then museum director Shalva Amiranashvili to the authorities: review of the museum's problems (mostly, the building) and possible ways 1973 - Publication of the preventive conservation guidelines: "How to protect museum collections from possible threats"; the protocol of documentation, of their solution. 2017 - preservation and handling of museum collections. 1977 - Letter by then museum director Tamaz Sanikidze to the authorities in regards to the problems of the museum. Documentation and restitution of architectural fragments (stone) collection, moved to the FAM from the G. Chubinashvili Art History Research 2017-2018 - 1977-1978 - Development of the project of the reconstruction of the Lado Gudiashvili street by architect Vladimir Kurtishvili. Centre in 1991 during the civil war. 1981 - Letter addressed to government by FAM former director Tamaz Sanikidze with the request to solve the problems of the museum and its building. 2018 - Report prepared by the Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau about the condition/state of the museum's historical building. The Georgian National Museum received the new building (3181 sq. m.) - neighbouring to the FAM, that can be used as a temporary storage during 2018 - Actions made in order to improve the situation at the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts and prepare its renovation process the museum's renovation. 2018-2019 - Documentation/inventory of collections of the house-museums udner GNM umbrella - first stage - Iakob Nikoladze house-museum collections. Study and condition reporting of the museum's collections; calculation of size/volume (in collaboraion with the Research and Restoration Centre of 2005 - 2018 - Discussion of the museum renovation plan in the format of the working meetings at the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia. the Museums of France. 2018 - Closed the temporary exhibition spaces of the museum (all spaces except the Treasury exhibition). 2006 - Closed the permanent exhibition of the museum. Order of the Prime-Minister of Georgia on the purchase of packaging materials and invent. For the temporary relocation of the museum's 2018 - 2005-2007 - Elaboration of the Masterplan of Tbilisi Museum District; preliminary design concept of the museum building renovation (Jean Francois Milou). collections before its renovation. 2007 - Arrangement of storage facilities for the purpose of improving the state of the collections. 2018-present - Restitution of 382 artworks exported from the museum at different times. 2007 - Renovation of the museum's temporary exhibition spaces and their equipment in accordance with contemporary museum standards. 2019 - Preparation/adaptation of exhibition and storage spaces for temporary admission of the Treasury collection at S. Janashia Museum of Georgia. 2008 - Documentation and photo-fixation of the Mediaeval Treasury exhibits. Report prepared by the Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau about the condition/state of the museum's historical building (breakdown rate 2019 - 2008 - Documentation/making inventory of the collections. / damage rate : 3rd category). The EU funded partnership: twinning of the Georgian National Museum and The Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation - Berlin Museum Island 2009-2011 - 2019 - Closed the Treasury exhibiton. aimed at the institutional development of the Georgian National Museum. Elaboration of the action plan for temporary relocation of the collections, based on the configuration and condition of the building, in collaboration 2019 - 2010 - Examination of the structure of the RCC building (FAM 2nd building) and and the geological study. with the transportation company. 2011 - Preparation of the detailed project of the Restoration-Conservation Centre (2nd building FAM). Preparation and equipment of temporary storage spaces (for 11 collections of FAM), restoration-conservation labs and offices for staff (museum's 2019-2020 - 2010-2011 - Exhibition of the part of the Georgian painting collections at the National Gallery, making them accessible for public. new building). 2010-2014 - Digitization, conservation and temporary relocation of the Oriental Arts collections to S. Janashia Museum of Georgia. 2019-2020 - Preparation of the FAM renovation concept design project and its presentation (Jean Francois Milou). International Conference "Why Museums Now? Keeping the past – Facing the Future" and exhibition "Museumsinsel Berlin - Museum District Elaboration of the detailed plan for the evacuation and temporary relocation of the museum's collections into the nearby located other buildings of 2012 - 2018-2020 - Tbilisi. Keeping the Past – Facing the Future“ hosted by the Georgian National Museum. the GNM. Annual conference of the International Committee on Museum Security (ICMS) “Threats for the treasury and its evacuation in case of disasters or Creation of the commission for documentation of the treasury collections (joint group of the Georgian National Museum and the Orthodox 2012 - 2019-2020 - threats” hosted by the Georgian National Museum Patriarchate of Georgia); the commission started working, but was process was suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 13

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of 2 | The New Building of the GNM

The new 5 story 3181 m2 building of the GNM is situated in the immediate proximity of exhibition and educational processes of FAM, hence serving the public and ensuring the 1st and 2nd blocks of the FAM and merges with the yard of the historical building. ongoing access to the collections and related public programmes. Besides the storage rooms and offices, the structure includes temporary exhibition rooms, conservation As mentioned above, the collections housed in the GNM museums require proper workshops, a library, archive, and a 3D laboratory. Thanks to persistent and successful protection, documentation, research and display. Hence, the key objective of the funding applications, all areas are fully equipped with the latest technologies, meeting development of the new building of the GNM is to facilitate this process through turning the norms and requirements of modern international museum standards. Furthermore, it into a multifunctional structure and obtaining maximum benefits from its resources. As the GNM welcomes all museums and cultural institutions in Georgia to access and share will be described further below in the next section of this document, the 2nd building these resources, as a means of building the sectors’ capacities throughout the country. in immediate proximity to the FAM will be a permanent restoration and conservation centre. Relocating the collections and staff of the FAM to this building is a temporary measure while awaiting works on the, 1st and 2nd buildings which once completed, will as The newly built and fully equipped building is already prepared to house the collections mentioned enable the return of collections and staff. When this occurs the new GNM and the staff of the FAM until such a time as the FAM 1st and 2nd buildings are renovated building will become an integral part of and resource for all museums in the precinct and a new strategy for the collections’ display and other operational facilities is ready, along with others requiring storage and other services. Additionally, current thinking with suitable conditions for storing the collections, and safe working environment for its is to plan for the use of this 5-storey building for events and in particular, an ‘art personnel. incubator’ encouraging youth in particular to become more involved in an open and highly accessible environment dedicated to exploring artistic topics, exhibiting and This new building therefore provides the possibility to continue to manage the research, learning.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 14 3 | The Restoration-Conservation Centre (RCC)

The project planned for the 2nd building – which was constructed in the 1980s is decentralization of conservation practices as funding enables capacity-building and for the GNM Restoration-Conservation Centre (RCC) involves establishing a truly technical equipment in other locations. Ideally, in time, the services and training offered multifunctional institution, which hosts storage facilitates for all kinds of objects and by the Centre might expand not only nationally, but regionally to reinforce ties with materials, as well as laboratories for their conservation-restoration. This Centre, which neighbouring countries experiencing similar issues. will offer services to all of Georgia’s museums and training for their staff, will keep, study/examine and conserve/restore the objects of all kinds with the aid of the newest As such, the RCC will be an open institution – not only the students and professionals technological equipment. of relevant disciplines – but also to the wider public interested in observing the work of conservation and restoration. A key tool for ensuring this accessibility will be an online Launching the RCC is a critical component of the overall museum reform strategy in collection database and management system, which museum professionals, scholars, Georgia, and one that has been supported by consecutive governments in the country. educational institutions and the wider public alike will be encouraged to use. The establishment of this new scientific organisation is a cornerstone of the country’s the museum reform, as without solid collection care and a trained sector, the collections The RCC, with the assistance of its scientific resources and infrastructure, will also offer are not sustainable. The impacts of the post-Soviet transition and economic constraints its services to other public institutions and private persons/organisations. The inclusion oblige Georgia to begin with a strong centralized conservation centre of this kind, and of the private sector into the process will contribute to the development to the art market to progressively, over time, train teams in other institutions with the goal of eventual in Georgia and the wider region.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 15 3.1 | The Partitioning of the RCC

The RCC is a 7-floor building (in total 4800 sq. m. + technical level). In terms of the equipment for proper functioning of the building. planned partition of spaces: • One floor will be assigned to the laboratories for technical studies and the Realisation of the project of Restoration-Conservation Centre basically finalises the preventive conservation of objects; most important stage of the museum reform in Georgia, as it facilitates the protection, • Two floors will be dedicated to Survey spaces and quarantine zones, along with documentation, research and display of collections, stored at the GNM, and other storage (collections of the FAM and the National Gallery); • Another level is foreseen for conservation science labs for objects of all kinds, independent/partner organisations. Such a Centre would also support scholarly and ages, materials and sizes; as well as the library; educational processes which are essential for transmitting the know-how among future • Two floors will be designated to the offices, auxiliary technical spaces, and the generations for conserving and understanding the collections.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 16 4 | The Vision of the Renovated FAM

At the present time, the GNM is studying a renovation project for the FAM’s historical From 2018 to the present, the FAM renovation project and the GNM’s overall action building which will enable it to house: plan have been presented and discussed within different stakeholders of the museum, including: • Public spaces (lobby, atrium, bookshop/shop, café); • GNM staff; • Exhibition rooms (both permanent and temporary); • The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Georgia; • Education spaces; • The Parliament of Georgia; • Supplementary and technical rooms, as required to run above listed public places. • The Orthodox Patriarchate of Georgia. The design concept of the FAM renovation project was elaborated by the architect Jean-Francois Milou (France), who specialises in the rehabilitation and conservation of Further to this, the GNM has regularly presented the project to the professional circles existing cultural heritage structures, who has collaborated with the GNM since 2006 and interested audiences, to ensure wide public consultation and updating at all stages (Tbilisi Museum District Masterplan). of the planning and prospecting for funding and support in kind.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 17 5 | The Timeframe of the Project

The project’s implementation is foreseen in several phases:

The phases of the project 2021 2022 2023 2024

Revision of the RCC (2nd building FAM) project, procurement

Reconstruction and equipment of RCC

Launch the RCC

Pre-construction study of the FAM historical building condition, competition/procurement, project preparation

Temporary relocation of the FAM collections

Renovation-restoration and equipment of the FAM historical building

Relocation (back) of the FAM collections to the museum and launching new permanent exhibition

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 18 6 | Expected Results and Impact

Through the projects referred to in this document, the GNM, on behalf of and in The planning and projects referred to in this document, notably for the renovation of the collaboration with museums throughout Georgia, seeks to achieve the following: FAM and the creation of a new Restoration and Conservation Centre constitute critical components of Georgia’s long-planned museum reforms. • Creating an international standard and highly accessible visual arts institution in which artistic expression in all forms is represented, with the inclusion of heritage Both have been developed within highly challenging contexts for over a decade, and objects as works of art included and understood as both integral parts of Georgia’s represent efforts by the GNM to work with limited resources, while growing wide artistic heritage and inspirations for more recent artforms. networks and seeking at all times a highly participatory approach from not only the • Making a dynamic, inclusive art museum, open and welcoming to all visitors and museums in the GNM network, but others throughout the country, along with other offering a strong educational mission notably for younger generations. stakeholders. • Ensuring international standard collection management and conservation facilities within the FAM immediate precinct which also have a mission to serve and reinforce other museums throughout Georgia and eventually, within the wider region. The path to reaching the point of defining the vision and plans for these institutions • Continue to forge strong support networks within Georgian government, as well has been one of learning, consultations, at times oversights and at others, corrections. as within the civil and private sectors, and among relevant international organizations Under the circumstances, much real progress has been made, and the GNM is grateful and donors, so as to constantly create opportunities to strengthen the museum sector. for the input, support, critiques and guidance given by all sectors of Georgian society, • Build professional capacities among museum and heritage workers in Georgia various international, government, civil and private bodies, all of which the GNM hopes and promote the importance of museums and their collections within wider society. to continue forging strong relations for an ever stronger museum sector.

The Renovation Plan of the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts

Georgian National Museum 19