Because the museum has expanded the number of temporary exhibition galleries from two to four with the opening of the Hamilton Building, it can present more such offerings than ever. And, as before, all eight departments at the museum will get their "time in the sun." But Sharp said there will be a bigger emphasis on contemporary-art shows. He expects a major one at least every other year. While that might not sound like many, the director called it "incredibly ambitious," considering the paucity of such exhibitions during the previous decade. "There is an interest in the community," he said. "There's an audience that's hungry for that material."

Payton is not ready to name the artists who will be shown, but she did say the museum plans to put an increased emphasis on Colorado artists, presenting them in in-depth solo exhibitions within the overarching global context. "I've done a lot of thematic shows that have included Colorado artists and, now, I'm very excited to be able to offer really master exhibitions of some of these premier talents," she said. Although she declined to give specifics, Payton said the next artist featured in the museum's second-floor projects gallery, will be a local artist. And it is possible that he or she will live in the space for several weeks.