NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS

As NIU and the world around us deals with a global pandemic, artists continue to find ways to express themselves. In the College of Visual and Performing arts the learning and teaching hasn’t stopped, it’s simply evolved to meet the needs and limitations of the situation. Over the coming days, we’ll be featuring how NIU students, alumni and faculty in the arts are continuing to do what they love.

Patrick Gallagher
Major: Visual Communication
Year: 1979
Hometown: Freeport, Ill., currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland

Patrick GallagherOver the past 30 years, Patrick has built a strong reputation globally as a leader in the field of Museum Planning and Design. He has worked with every kind of collection from microscopic stardust, to hundreds of vintage military tanks and aircraft, in institutions ranging from cultural history and natural science to sports, music and the arts. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, Patrick is a past president of the SEGD and has served on the board of numerous professional design organizations.

Gallagher & Associates (G&A) is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary design studio with offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Portland and Singapore. For over 20 years, we bring transformative experiences to life.

“Being the principal of a design firm whose focus is Museum Planning and Design, I am busy spending my days supporting my now 132 tiny offices (designers homes) around the country and around the world,” Patrick said. “Working with clients to establish new protocols for input and review of the creative process but all also managing construction on four major new museum buildings when you cannot physically go to the site.

“We are also working with our team that does financial feasibility planning, operational planning and business modeling for none profits and they are assisting museums in thinking about re-opening, new staffing models and new operational modeling.  It will be a different world for museums when this is over.

“Lastly, we are beginning to work with many museums on their virtual presence.  Not their web site but their virtual museums so that visitors can stay more engaged and connected without actually being in the museum itself.  In the future museums will count visitors not just who pass through the doors but who enter their virtual gateways.”

Gallagher & Associates

Gallagher & Associates (G&A) is an internationally recognized interdisciplinary design studio with offices in Washington, D.C., New York, Portland and Singapore.

Chicago Architecture Center

Gallagher & Associates worked hand-in-hand with the Chicago Architecture Center to develop a world-class destination and gateway for tourists, architecture-enthusiasts, practitioners, and students to discover the marvel that is Chicago’s architectural landscape and legacy. In less than nine months from project launch to open, G&A worked closely with the CAC to interpret Chicago’s architectural legacy into a visitor experience that is both awe-inspiring and accessible. To tell the story of Chicago architecture, we divided the experience into two primary galleries: the downstairs “Chicago” gallery, tells the story of how Chicago came to be the city of architecture; while the upstairs “Building Tall” gallery, studies the evolution and innovation of skyscraper design and technology through the lens of Chicago’s famous architects and their influence on buildings throughout the world. 

Chicago Architecture Center

Gallagher & Associates worked hand-in-hand with the Chicago Architecture Center to develop a world-class destination and gateway for tourists, architecture-enthusiasts, practitioners, and students to discover the marvel that is Chicago’s architectural landscape and legacy. In less than nine months from project launch to open, G&A worked closely with the CAC to interpret Chicago’s architectural legacy into a visitor experience that is both awe-inspiring and accessible. To tell the story of Chicago architecture, we divided the experience into two primary galleries: the downstairs “Chicago” gallery, tells the story of how Chicago came to be the city of architecture; while the upstairs “Building Tall” gallery, studies the evolution and innovation of skyscraper design and technology through the lens of Chicago’s famous architects and their influence on buildings throughout the world. 

Chicago Architecture Center - Video

Gallagher & Associates worked hand-in-hand with the Chicago Architecture Center to develop a world-class destination and gateway for tourists, architecture-enthusiasts, practitioners, and students to discover the marvel that is Chicago’s architectural landscape and legacy. In less than nine months from project launch to open, G&A worked closely with the CAC to interpret Chicago’s architectural legacy into a visitor experience that is both awe-inspiring and accessible. To tell the story of Chicago architecture, we divided the experience into two primary galleries: the downstairs “Chicago” gallery, tells the story of how Chicago came to be the city of architecture; while the upstairs “Building Tall” gallery, studies the evolution and innovation of skyscraper design and technology through the lens of Chicago’s famous architects and their influence on buildings throughout the world.

The National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA

Working for over 10 years G&A has transformed the National WWII Museum from a small regional museum to one of the most important museums in the world, portraying the American involvement in World War II. This amazing multi-building campus is home to a sensational 4D theater, multiple immersive exhibition pavilions, restaurants, shops and event spaces. Recently named the number 3 museum in America by Trip Advisor, the WWII Museum is setting the standard for storytelling and engagement for the next generation to understand the impact of WWII on their lives

Making Art: Materials and Technology, Maharashtra, India

The Piramal Museum of Art temporary art exhibition, Making Art: Materials and Technology, explores the very tactile experience of art-making, as it reveals art making through an evolutionary process. Each section of the exhibition is designed for visitors to experiment with different materials and experience their possibilities. We designed the exhibition with a circular element in the center. This provides a focal point for delivering demonstrations, as well as creates a space to explore art for school groups of up to 40 people. By using a circle, we break down the hierarchy, encouraging experts to sit beside non-experts, creating a space where art-making is accessible and where people can learn by doing.

Making Art: Materials and Technology, Maharashtra, India

The Piramal Museum of Art temporary art exhibition, Making Art: Materials and Technology, explores the very tactile experience of art-making, as it reveals art making through an evolutionary process. Each section of the exhibition is designed for visitors to experiment with different materials and experience their possibilities. We designed the exhibition with a circular element in the center. This provides a focal point for delivering demonstrations, as well as creates a space to explore art for school groups of up to 40 people. By using a circle, we break down the hierarchy, encouraging experts to sit beside non-experts, creating a space where art-making is accessible and where people can learn by doing.

The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, CA

G&A, in collaboration with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, created a very personal music experience in this museum dedicated to exploring the history, creative process, artistry, and technology of recorded music. The highly interactive, multimedia museum includes immersive environments, a 20-foot-long touch sensitive “genre table,” and a 3-D theater, allowing visitors to become fully immersed in the experience of American music. Nowhere else has a museum done such a deep exploration of our personal relationship with music and culture.

Grammy Museum Mississippi, Cleveland, MS

The Grammy Museum, located in Cleveland, Mississippi, is the only official Grammy museum outside of Los Angeles, recognizing that Mississippi has the most Grammy winners per capita than any other state. Along with exhibiting glamorous costumes, famous musical instruments, and other powerful artifacts, G&A developed experiences for the Museum that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the creative process of songwriting, singing and producing. For this Grammy museum, a Mississippi-centric display introduces visitors to the impact of Mississippi’s songwriters, producers and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscapes.

The National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA

Working for over 10 years G&A has transformed the National WWII Museum from a small regional museum to one of the most important museums in the world, portraying the American involvement in World War II. This amazing multi-building campus is home to a sensational 4D theater, multiple immersive exhibition pavilions, restaurants, shops and event spaces. Recently named the number 3 museum in America by Trip Advisor, the WWII Museum is setting the standard for storytelling and engagement for the next generation to understand the impact of WWII on their lives

The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, CA

G&A, in collaboration with the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, created a very personal music experience in this museum dedicated to exploring the history, creative process, artistry, and technology of recorded music. The highly interactive, multimedia museum includes immersive environments, a 20-foot-long touch sensitive “genre table,” and a 3-D theater, allowing visitors to become fully immersed in the experience of American music. Nowhere else has a museum done such a deep exploration of our personal relationship with music and culture.

Grammy Museum Mississippi Cleveland, MS

The Grammy Museum, located in Cleveland, Mississippi, is the only official Grammy museum outside of Los Angeles, recognizing that Mississippi has the most Grammy winners per capita than any other state. Along with exhibiting glamorous costumes, famous musical instruments, and other powerful artifacts, G&A developed experiences for the Museum that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the creative process of songwriting, singing and producing. For this Grammy museum, a Mississippi-centric display introduces visitors to the impact of Mississippi’s songwriters, producers and musicians on the traditional and modern music landscapes.

For a more in-depth look at their projects, visit the Gallagher & Associates website

Are you a student, alumni or faculty member in the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts with video of yourself performing or creating, or photos of a finished product? Use this form to share it with us.