Raleigh’s contemporary art museum will close to figure out what’s next
The Contemporary Art Museum of Raleigh will temporarily close starting June 15, as its board considers selling the downtown building.
“Like many small museums across the country, we’re navigating the realities of a rapidly changing world, where the cost of operating a physical space has increasingly outpaced traditional support, and funding from government agencies, foundations, and both corporate and individual donors has become more competitive than ever,” according to a message posted on the museum’s website this week.
“These challenges have led us to ask critical questions about how CAM can remain sustainable for generations to come,” it said.
The museum opened in heart of downtown’s Warehouse District in 2011, featuring rotating contemporary art exhibits. It was originally built in 1910 as a two-story warehouse for the Allen Forge & Welding Co.
The property at 409 W. Martin St. is valued at over $11 million, according to Wake County property records.
“We are exploring the potential sale of our building as part of a broader effort to generate revenue and reduce long-term overhead,” said Kate Boes, vice chair of CAM’s board of directors. “While our physical space may change, our mission remains unchanged, and we are fully committed to continuing to serve the community through contemporary art.”
There isn’t a timeline for a full reopening, but Boes said they will temporarily reopen Sept. 28 for the Raleigh Fine Arts Society’s N.C. Artists exhibition.
“We understand the disappointment, and we feel it too,” she said. “But this is not the end of CAM. This pause is a necessary and bold step toward building a stronger, more sustainable CAM that can serve our community through contemporary art for years to come. We want people to feel hopeful and energized about what’s ahead.”
The museum will look for “creative, low-cost ways” to stay connected including pop-up programs and collaborations.
Mayor Janet Cowell said the museum has contributed to the city and the downtown area since it opened.
“I know from firsthand experience that it is challenging to run a nonprofit and, maybe even more so, an arts nonprofit,” she said.
“I have talked to the CAM board members in charge and find them to be thoughtful and strategic,” she said. “I feel confident they will find a way to carry on CAM’s mission in some way, shape or form.”
This story was originally published June 5, 2025 at 8:27 AM.
