Asian Art Museum Galleries Closed After Water Pipe Rupture

Millions in Damages Expected; No Art Affected

A significant water pipe failure has forced sections of the Asian Art Museum to close indefinitely, with repair costs potentially reaching $3.5 million. Fortunately, no artworks or artifacts sustained damage from the incident.

Leak Discovered Early Morning

Museum security personnel identified the leak around 2 a.m. on July 19. A bolt failure in a fourth-floor ceiling, located in the museum’s office areas, triggered the rupture, affecting multiple levels.

The overflow impacted various galleries across all three exhibition floors, as well as office spaces. The entire third floor, which showcases collections from South Asia, the Himalayas, Persia, and China, remains inaccessible to the public until further notice.

“We Are Confident Enough to Keep Doors Open”

Freesia Lee, a museum spokesperson, addressed the situation. “Some spaces are easy fixes; some require extra diligence to ensure the art remains safe,” she stated. “We are confident enough, though, to keep doors open to the public.”

A surprising upside for visitors is that all currently open galleries and exhibitions are being offered free of charge. This temporary policy has reportedly driven a 40% increase in attendance, according to Lee.

City Contraction and Cost Estimates

The city, which insures the museum, is overseeing the remediation efforts. Angela Yip, a city spokesperson, estimates that the necessary repairs and restoration could cost up to $3.5 million.

Museums often face unexpected challenges. In 2023, the Philadelphia Museum of Art underwent extensive repairs after a roof leak caused significant damage to over 20 works of art, highlighting the constant need for infrastructure maintenance (The Art Newspaper, 2023).