Schools
New Walsh University Arts Center Slated to Open Early Next Year
The university will open its Birk Center for the Arts in January 2012. The center was created for students based on their increased interest in the arts
As the arts continue to grow in popularity among Walsh University students, so does campus personnel’s commitment to giving them the performance space they need.
In January 2012, the university will open its $2.4 million project, the Birk Center for the Arts – a 13,000-square-foot building dedicated to furthering students’ studies in musical and visual arts.
According to University President Richard Jusseaume, the school’s need for a space devoted to the Arts became apparent within the past two years as the number of students studying in these fields skyrocketed.
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“We had a need,” he said. “A few years ago, there were only 11 people in the choir — now there are 85. There never was a band and now we have one. All of a sudden, there was a sense of urgency to create a space for these students.”
The building, which will be connected to the south end of the Cecchini Center, will include a visual art studio for drawing, painting and sculpting rooms, as well as an atrium to showcase art exhibits and serve as a backdrop for special campus events, according to the university’s website.
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Faculty members in the Fine and Performing Arts Department also will be provided with seven offices in the building as well as two classrooms.
In addition, the center will house a music library as well as several storage facilities for marching band instruments and uniforms.
Although the space is dedicated to the arts, Jusseaume said the building is open to all students. Campus officials purposely selected its location near student residence halls in order for them to have easy access to it day and night.
Despite its ample performance space, the president noted the building will not be used for formal concerts and productions; however, in the summer it may be used as a site to host art camps for elementary, middle and high school students.
While the center is slated to open early next year, Bridgette Neisel, vice president of university advancement and university relations, said donations are still being accepted for the center. More information is available by emailing her at bneisel@walsh.edu.