A number of big American museums are closed or closing (sometimes for a couple of years) while major additions/renovations are undertaken. “The spate of temporary closings represents a new phase in the building boom that began in the go-go 90’s, when institutions found it relatively easy to raise large sums. Some museums are refurbishing old buildings; some are commissioning new ones. Others, like the Corcoran and the Aldrich, are doing both. For directors who shut down their institutions, consequences go beyond the obvious loss of revenue and the danger that the museum’s support will erode. The impact is felt most keenly by employees who are laid off, but also extends to scholars who are dependent on easy access to artworks.”