A new visual arts facility is expected to open on the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith campus in the fall of 2015.
The new facility will be located on the southwest corner of Waldron and Kinkead and is bordered by Stubblefield Center, The Lion’s Den and Baldor Technology Center.
CDI Contractors of Little Rock and Fayetteville was confirmed last week as construction manager for the new $15 million-plus visual arts facility, according to the university.
The new building, designed by WER Architects of Little Rock, will also house gallery spaces, the letterpress and printmaking operation, graphic design laboratories and spaces for photography, painting, sculpture and art history.
The freshmen foundations program — which includes basic courses in drawing, 2D design, 3D design, typography and digital imaging — will also be housed there.
The building would also include a 150-seat film theatre.
The new arts center will also allow the university to offer additional workshops that are open to the community.
UAFS is receiving a $15.5 million grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation of Siloam Springs to construct and equip the new visual arts facility, with the final $2.5 million of the grant commitment as a challenge grant to match other donations raised by UAFS, according to the university.
