Posted January 27, 2010

Ironworks, a management, Web and information-technology consulting firm, has been awarded a contract with the Virginia Information Technology Agency on behalf of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to design and build its new Web site.

Ironworks will implement a new content management system along with a full creative redesign of the VMFA site (www.vmfa.museum). The content management system will offer the museum more control of the Web site, while establishing the foundation to more easily expand site functionality and make better use of social media, online collections and user-contributed content.

The new Web site comes as VMFA is in the midst of a massive expansion project that will add 165,000 square feet to its pre-existing 380,000 square-foot building. Expected to re-open May 1, the expansion will transform the way visitors experience VMFA exhibits, both at its Richmond headquarters and on the Web.

“With our new James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Wing, architect Rick Mather gives us a thrilling, glamorous stage from which to welcome visitors and to display more of our global collection and present important special exhibitions,” says VMFA Director Alex Nyerges. “And we are confident that our new Web site will reflect the museum experience and the overall quality that makes us one of the top ten comprehensive museums.”

The selection of Ironworks followed a six-month competitive bidding process. Ironworks, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Richmond with 250 employees across five offices, is known for bringing strategy and design capabilities along with technical expertise to deliver the most appropriate solution for the client. “We are very excited to be working with VMFA to build the online presence in conjunction with the major transformation underway for the museum,” said Will Loving, Ironworks co-founder and C.O.O.

ABOUT IRONWORKS CONSULTING:
Ironworks is a management, IT and Web consulting firm with one mission – never fail a client. Ironworks offers expertise to clients nationwide in the practice areas of Strategy and Program Management, Business Process Improvement, User Experience, Content Management, Portal Solutions, Enterprise Search, Service-Oriented Architecture, and Business Intelligence. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., Ironworks also operates from offices in Tysons Corner, Va., Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., and Minneapolis, Minn. For more information, visit www.ironworks.com.

ABOUT THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS:
VMFA is at 200 N. Boulevard in Richmond. VMFA’s holdings include more than 22,000 treasures spanning 5,000 years. The museum houses extraordinary collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, American and British art as well as internationally recognized collections of decorative arts, Contemporary art, South Asian art and African art. The museum’s galleries also include a world-class collection of jeweled works by Peter Carl Fabergé. In addition, VMFA presents a wide array of special exhibitions.
Programs in Richmond include educational activities for all ages and entertaining after-hours events. Statewide outreach programs through partner organizations across Virginia include traveling exhibitions, artist and teacher workshops, media resources, and lectures. For additional information, telephone 804-340-1400 or visit the museum online at www.vmfa.museum.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Suzanne Hall, 804/204-2704; or Sarah Pennington, 804/204-2701; Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, 200 N. Boulevard, Richmond VA 23220-4007; FAX 804/204-2707; e-mail <suzanne.hall@vmfa.museum>