Art takes a certain amount of time to perfect. Sometimes it takes four years.

The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art began preparing for renovations and construction in September 2007. While the building has not been updated since 1971, this project was prompted by the university’s reception of the Eugene B. Adkins collection.

The new collection is an acclaimed private collection of works by the Taos artists as well as American Indian works of art, OU President David Boren said in a press release.

Since construction began, roughly 50 percent of the museum has not been in use, said Ghislain d’Humieres, museum director.

“We are very lucky to be able to build something in this economy,” d’Humieres said. “The new building will help promote culture and education through art for the students.”

During construction, the museum is open and functioning for guests to view art already on display. Developing audiences is a persisting goal of the museum, d’Humieres said.

“Construction has not affected attendance at the museum,” d’Humieres said. “In fact, we have better attendance due to the work we do in reaching out to students.”

Once the renovation and expansion process is complete, museum patrons can expect to see a new 8,300-square-foot gallery, a mezzanine level for a photography collection and several upgrades to the existing galleries.

University of Oklahoma Regent Jon Stuart and his wife Dee Dee donated $3 million to this project, whose total is a reported $13 million, according to a press release.

OU students receive free admission to the museum and some said they plan to take advantage in light of the new developments.

“I didn’t know about the new exhibit at first,” said Ashlan Barta, University College freshman. “But now I’m excited about it. I’d like to see it.”

The new building is scheduled to be revealed fall 2011.