NILES — The newly formed Niles non profit, The Jacob K. Brown Contemporary Art Museum and Center, has selected an architect and design for the proposed contemporary museum.

On June 3, Judith Racht, a JKB Board Member, hosted a gathering of community leaders at her home in Niles. The purpose of this event was to discuss the museum project and receive input from community leaders. The event hosted more than 40 attendees. 

Three Chicago architects also attended the event. They previously had learned about the contemporary project on Facebook, and each had contacted Racht and expressed great interest in submitting designs and participating in the creation of a contemporary museum.  At this event, each of the architects presented their vision for the building design and grounds and they answered attendees’ questions.

At the June 22 JKB board meeting, the board of directors chose Northworks Architects and their design for the contemporary museum. Austin DePree, AIA and Northworks partner, presented their design at the June 3 gathering.

“All of the presentations were very well done,” said Jan Schrader, a board member. 

Betty Knoll, also a board member, said she agreed.

“Yes, this was a very hard decision,” Knoll said.

Northworks is a Chicago based full service architecture and planning firm, and they also have offices in San Francisco, Wyoming, and Philadelphia. 

“The JKB organization really looks forward to working with them,” Racht said.

The JKB Contemporary Art Museum and Center has almost nine wooded acres located on N. Fifth Street in Niles.  This area is located before the end of the Niles city limits, and it is approximately a half mile east of Fifth Street.  The organization has obtained an easement that will provide land for a wooded drive from Fifth Street to the site.