After the $49 million renovation of the Health Professions Center and the $10 million donation towards athletics and the naming rights to the Screaming Eagles Arena (which had only just been renovated five years ago for $41 million) were announced in October, many art students found themselves wondering when funding would be allocated to the arts.
“Well, I wouldn’t say it was a slap to the face necessarily, but it was pretty cruddy that they got this big grant, and ours needs improving a lot,” said Jenna Norrick, senior graphic design major. “If we got a little bit of money, it would have been nice. [The Arts Center] leaks, the temperature is not always the greatest, but it’s pretty cozy. I love the way the sun comes through those windows.”
While Norrick reaffirmed her love for the Arts Center and spends a significant portion of her time there, she said new and improved bathrooms should be a priority. She said having larger bathrooms closer to classrooms would mean students would miss less class time to use them.
Deanna Hardy, junior photography major, was among the first to comment on the Instagram post made by the university when the College of Nursing and Health Professions renovations were announced.
“It leaks,” Hardy said. “There’s an enormous amount of bugs. It’s really bad, don’t get me wrong, but we’ve made a home out of it. We decorate, we try to make it nice.”
The Arts Center was built in 1974 and was originally a Technology Center. Over the years, a number of renovations have been made to it.
In 2012, it was renovated to provide offices for art and design faculty. Then, in 2014, the lower level was renovated, specifically the plumbing and electrical work.
“The wood shop, the sculpture shop and the jewelry shop, we renovated those completely,” said Jim Wolfe, director of facilities, operations and planning.
Wolfe said some of the classrooms opposite those studios were also renovated.
Students who have spent time in the Arts Center have noticed extra buttons in the elevator or stairs that lead to an inaccessible third floor.
In 2018, when the university looked into expanding the Arts Center, it learned that steel beams would be necessary to support an addition.
“We were told by our structural engineer that we could not add on to the building as it is currently built,” Wolfe said.
As a result, if the university were to expand the Arts Center, it would consider demolishing the building to construct a new one.
Wolfe said the university submits a proposal to the state about its renovation and building plans every two years.
“Right now, we are renovating because we are growing a little bit, but not very fast,” Wolfe said.
After the proposal is submitted, the state reviews the requests of other universities before determining how to distribute money.
Renovations to the Arts Center are part of the university’s 10-year plan.
“Great classes, great teachers, great environment,” said Alyssa Harlow, senior studio art major. “I wish they built a third floor. I wish there was a bathroom on the second floor and the first floor.
The university is aware of some issues students have with the Arts Center.
“The bathroom is a big, big need, and it probably needs another one on the upper floor,” Wolfe said. “The upper floor wasn’t touched in the last renovation that we did.”
Other students reaffirmed why the bathrooms in the Arts Center are a priority.
“The bathrooms down here are always clogged,” Abbey Rodocker, junior photography major, said. “There is always at least one that’s clogged. Always, without fail.”
Updates to the exterior of the Arts Center include doors and HVAC on the roof.
Wolfe said campus buildings generally receive full renovations after 30 or more years, which can cost millions. However, that does not mean that updates are not made in the meantime.
Today, student artwork lines the walls, the upper level usually features an exhibition, and professors display student work throughout the lower level.
However, other areas have remained unchanged.
“The Art Center is my favorite building,” said Courtney Blackwell, freshman graphic design major.
Blackwell said she enjoys seeing art as she passes through the building, specifically mentioning the light that has been transformed into a can of soup and the printed drawing that makes it appear that tree roots are growing from the underside of the stairs.
Hannah Rasche, senior studio art major and Art Club president, said she loves the Arts Center but wishes it had more art.
“I love the people,” said Isabella Cano, sophomore graphic design major. “The building itself could be better.”
She said the Arts Center would benefit if more money were put into it, like the Business and Engineering Center.
“I think it’s a wonderful place,” said Mikayla Satterfield, senior illustration major and art history minor. “Honestly, I spend all my time here,”
Compared to the other buildings on campus, she said the Arts Center “just feels more homey.”
“You can just be yourself over here,” she said.
