The six finalist concepts in an international contest for a $160 million-to-$170 million upgrade of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City have been revealedUS, international, emerging and established architects were invited to participate in the two-stage contest for a 5,670m extension to the historic free-to-visit art museum located at 45th and Oak Streets in the centre of Kansas City.The finalists are Kengo Kuma & Associates of Tokyo, Renzo Piano Building Workshop of Genoa, Selldorf Architects from New York, Studio Gang from Chicago, Weiss/Manfredi Architecture of New York, and WHY Architecture of Los Angeles.The shortlisted concepts feature in a free exhibition at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and in an online gallery with the public invited to submit comments.The project will upgrade the museums original Beaux Arts building while also creating an additional extension featuring a new primary entrance and foyer, a photography centre, exhibition galleries, learning spaces, a theatre and a restaurant for indoor/outdoor dining and events.The first stage of the competition, which launched in October 2024, attracted 182 teams from 30 countries on six continentsRound one applications required architect-led multidisciplinary teams to submit details of project approach, team composition and experience. The six finalists each received a US$75,000 competition fee to draw up concept designs.Evelyn Craft Belger, chair of the museums board of trustees and the architect selection committee, said: These six concept designs articulate six unique visions of a new and even more dynamic Nelson-Atkins.This is a thrilling moment for the museum and our community when we start to visualise an identity that will carry us through the coming decades. We encourage our community to visit the exhibition and share your thoughts which proposal best realises your aspirations?Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art director and chief executive Julin Zugazagoitia said: We asked for bold, inspiring moves that also respected the existing museum campus and Im so happy to say weve received them in these initial designs. Each is a fascinating response to a complex project brief, together they bring myriad perspectives.The teams have shone their beams of thought on our big questions: how do we synthesise our existing icons with a new proposition? How do we modernise and embrace the future but keep the best of our history? And, most of all, how do we create a museum that is transparent for all and instills a sense of belonging and well-being?Originally founded in 1933 the fine art museum has more than 42,000 items in its collection and is particularly known for its displays of Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and for its Native American and Egyptian galleries.The museum occupies a historic Beaux Arts building along with a 2007 extension which is known as the Bloch Building and was designed by US architect Steven Holl and a 9ha sculpture park.The latest project aims to integrate the museums existing facilities into a cohesive new experience.Key aims include attracting new audiences and creating a museum for all that speaks to community.An overall winner will be announced in spring 2025.The Nelson-Atkins Museum of ArtCredit:Image courtesy of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art