Art Institute plans expansion

The Art Institute of Chicago has unveiled the final design of a new building that will house contemporary and modern collections and has launched the public aspect of a fundraising campaign that is $115 million short of its goal.

Construction will start this week on the 264,000-square-foot expansion, which is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2009. Italian architect Renzo Piano designed the $258-million glass, steel and limestone building.

John H. Bryan, chairman of the Art Institute’s board of trustees, said $170 million has been raised toward the goal of $285 million. The wing will add about 65,000 square feet of gallery space to the museum.