North Carolina Museum of Art
The Nature Research Center
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Noted for Excellence
North Carolina Museum of Art
The North Carolina Museum of Art reopened to the public in April 2010 , with a new , 127,000-square-foot West Building , designed by New Yorkbased architects Thomas Phifer and Partners . The state-of-the-art building creates a beautiful home for nearly 800 works of art from the permanent collection , with dramatically expanded exhibition space highlighted by day-lit galleries . The expansion dramatically transforms the visitor experience of the museum , which , sited in a 164-acre park , offers a unique blend of art , architecture and nature .
The museum has acquired more than 100 new works of art . Highlights include a gift of 30 + sculptures by Auguste Rodin including a 6-foot cast of “ The Thinker ,” a portrait by Pablo Picasso and work by such internationally acclaimed artists as Roxy Paine , Ursula von Rydingsvard and Jaume Plensa .
The Nature Research Center
Chris Adamczyk
Opened in Spring 2012 , the Nature Research Center ( NRC ) at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is an 80,000-square-foot wing that brings research scientists and their work into the public eye , helps demystify what can be an intimidating field of study , better prepares science educators and students and inspires a new generation of young scientists .
The centerpiece of the NRC is the SECU Daily Planet , an immersive , threestory multimedia space that links virtual to real nature and is the site of live programming on breaking science news . At regular intervals during the day , scientists present to NRC visitors using cutting-edge technology and media on a 40 × 40-foot , high-definition screen . Presenters discuss research behind current issues and societal impact . Scientists use the media-rich resources and dynamic images of the SECU Daily Planet to augment programs and to better field questions from the audience , immersing viewers into the presenter ’ s field of research and allowing visitors to dig deeper by asking questions of personal interest to them .
Recent accolades
# 2 Among 10 Fastest-Growing U . S . Cities ( Raleigh ) CNNMoney , April 2012
101 Best Restaurants in America for 2012 ( The Pit , Raleigh ) The Daily Meal , February 2012
# 5 Among Most Frugal U . S . Cities on the 2011 Savings Index Coupons . com , February 2012
Best New Sweet Shops ( Videri Chocolate Factory , Raleigh ) Travel + Leisure , February 2012
2012 Readers ’ Choice Award ( Greater Raleigh CVB ) SportsEvents Magazine , January 2012
Top 10 Tastiest Towns in the South ( Raleigh ) Southern Living , January 2012
2011 Platinum Choice Award ( Greater Raleigh CVB ) Smart Meetings magazine , December 2011
# 41 Among Top 200 Hotels in the United States ( The Umstead Hotel and Spa , Cary ) Condé Nast Traveler , October 2011
10 Safest Cities in the U . S . ( Cary ) M & C , October 2011
# 23 Among Smartest Major U . S . Cities with More than 100,000 Residents ( Raleigh ) American City Business Journals , November 2011
# 4 Among 10 Most Tech-Friendly Terminals for Tech Travelers ( Terminal 2 , RDU International Airport ) PCWorld , December 2011
# 1 Among 10 Best U . S . Airports for Wi-Fi ( RDU International Airport ) PCWorld , December 2011
# 12 Among 20 Best U . S . Airports for Tech Travelers ( RDU International Airport ) PCWorld , December 2011
# 2 Among Top Medical Cities ( Raleigh-Durham-Cary ) MedCity News , December 2011
Nine Beautiful New Airport Terminals ( RDU International Airport Terminal 2 ) The Atlantic Cities , December 2011
America ’ s Best City ( Raleigh ) Businessweek . com , September 2011
# 3 Most Educated City in America ( Raleigh ) Men ’ s Health , September 2011
# 7 Among America ’ s 20 Can-Do Capitals ( Raleigh ) Newsweek , September 2011
2011 Gold Service Award ( Greater Raleigh CVB ) Meetings & Conventions , August 2011
Most Efficient Small / Medium Airport in North America ( RDU International Airport ) Air Transport Research Society , August 2011
Best Barbecue Joints ( The Pit , Raleigh ) AOL Travel News , July 2011
One of the Coolest Small Cities in America ( Raleigh ) GQ , July 2011
# 10 Among Top Large City Hotels in U . S ./ Canada ( The Umstead Hotel & Spa , Cary ) Travel + Leisure , July 2011
# 21 Among 2011 Top 25 Arts Destinations-Mid-Size Cities ( Raleigh ) AmericanStyle Magazine , July 2011
Six Best New Museums in North America ( N . C . Museum of Art , Raleigh ) AirTran GO Magazine , May 2011