The Milwaukee Art Museum's (MAM) expansion, designed by Santiago Calatrava, was the focus of an Associated Press story which outlines how significant building expansions can be the spring board for success for museums. Speaking about the debt retirement, increased attendance and acclaimed exhibits, David Gordon, MAM's director, is quoted as saying "this has been a transforming event in the museum’s life."

 

The August 22, 2007 article in USA TODAY states that MAM's attendance grew "43% from the year before the expansion (the expansion was unveiled in 2001) to 2006" and that "the economic impact on the city increased over that time by 44% to $20.1 million."

 

Describing the community's new Milwaukee logo, Mayor Tom Barrett stated that the Milwaukee Art Museum "has become the city's unofficial symbol — used in marketing and in national television and print advertisements." Barrett added, "In the short six years it's been in existence, it really has helped not only transform our image and update our image but it's also worked as a catalyst along the lakefront."