Gund's expansion included the central atrium, known as the Katherine Lane Weems Atrium, that connects the two buildings. In 1987, a newly renovated and expanded school building, designed by architect Graham Gund, more than doubled the size of the existing structure and provided an auditorium, enlarged library, expanded studios and classrooms, a spacious new entrance, cafeteria, and increased gallery and exhibition spaces.
The creation of additional programs between the two institutions followed soon after. In 1945 the Museum School and Tufts College collaborated to develop their first joint degree teacher training granting program. The 45,000-square-foot (4,200 m 2) red brick building provided improved classroom, studio and library facilities. The permanent building, designed by Guy Lowell, was completed in 1927. When the Museum moved to Huntington Avenue in 1909, the School moved into a separate, temporary structure to the west of the main building.
From 1876 to 1909, the school was housed in the basement of the original Museum building in Copley Square. The school was founded in 1876 under the name School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA). The Weems Center, part of Graham Gund's expansion, looking down from the third floor
