The city of Denver was awarded the estate of Clyfford Still after agreeing to meet the requirements left in his inheritance. The mission of the museum is to display the complete work of Clyfford Stills. The collection contains over 850 paintings, 1700 works on paper and three sculptures.  In addition to the storage and display of the collection the museum houses an educational center where visitors can learn about abstract impressionism and Clyfford Still.

The site for the Museum is located next to the new wing of the Denver Art Museum, designed by Daniel Libeskind. The surrounding area is a new hot spot for public activity in Denver.  One of the site challenges was to keep a water detention basin used by the new wing of the Denver Art Museum.

The design of the Clyfford Still Museum works from the inside out. The collection creates the core of the building from which the galleries wrap around. Each level of the core provides storage for the work represented in the surrounding gallery. The galleries are organized chronologically increasing as they move vertically.  A storage elevator in the central core allows for secure art circulation to the restoration lab below grade.