Issue date: 4/12/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Kyle Akers

Much needed Creative Arts Center renovations may be in the future. The project is still in the planning and fundraising stages, said Dr. Charles Taylor, dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

All three departments located within the Creative Arts Center are in need of more instructional space, Taylor said.

Motion pictures need a large space to film as well as a screening room. More dance studios and additional practice space for music is also necessary. The art program is growing, and needs more studio space.

Many renovations will focus around the Creative Arts Center's concert hall, which is also used as a classroom. The university has already designated some money for this project, but more is still necessary.

The concert hall renovations will include acoustic changes. The concert hall is currently is fine acoustically for small groups, but is not engineered for larger groups or orchestras, Taylor said. The concert hall will be the beginning of the plans for improvement.

Ideally, thirty million dollars would be set aside for the Creative Arts Center renovations, Taylor said.

Funding will come from the university, the federal government, and the community, both corporations and private donors. Taylor said there is much potential in the community, as many donors are interested in the arts.

There are no concrete dates for any of the renovations. Currently, specialists are analyzing what sort of renovations might be made and are beginning to make concept drawings, said Taylor.

"I hope they consider accessibility in the concert hall," said psychology major Jenny Border. She is concerned with the lack of seating space to accommodate students who utilize wheelchairs.

"They really need to upgrade the concert hall," said Lauren Cuff, a member of the university chorus.

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