WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The town's two art museums were, collectively, before three town land-use boards over the last two weeks for approvals of an expansion and signage.

 

The Clark Art Institute on South Street was before the Conservation Commission, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals for permits to enable a 14,725 addition that will complete the connection between the museum's original building and its Manton Research Center to the south.

 

Officials from the Williams College Museum of Art, meanwhile, also went to the ZBA for an OK for the signage planned for is new museum on Main Street across from Field Park.

 

The new WCMA is well underway with announced plans to open during the 2027-28 academic year.

 

It cleared most town regulatory steps before a shovel went in the ground, but the last piece, the exterior signage, required signoff from the Zoning Board, which last year took the place of the defunct Sign Commission.

 

WCMA Deputy Director Devon Nowlin presented the signage plan at a Thursday hearing of the ZBA.

 

"The new visual identity is based on the concept of reflection, connection and interaction," Nowlin told the board. "As seen in this rendering, we have a complement of the different signage types that include a building marker. The building marker states the full name of the museum for clarity, and its position as a bench at the bus stop in front of the museum welcomes interaction and promotes public transportation to the museum."