2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsArt and design finds a home
Kandice McKee
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Several Missouri State University art classes will leave the campus behind and begin the 2008 fall semester in a newly-rented building downtown.
A move to 305 W. Mill St. east of Campbell Ave. and about two blocks north of Park Central Square will put students closer to "the arts community" in downtown Springfield. This is an important and necessary change for the "scattered art design program," acting head of the art and design department, Wade Thompson, said.
The Bear Line shuttle system has already been modified to include next fall's new art and design location.
Rebecca Lorenson, a senior art major, is both shocked and thrilled about the department move.
"It's a big surprise that the department is finally moving… with all of the work that we do and not enough space to work with, we're finally getting a great facility," Lorenson said.
The university had been in negotiations with Brick City, L.P. for about six months before reaching the 10-year lease agreement for the 2,101 square foot building, Thompson said.
"A number of sites" were considered before committing to Building #4 of the Brick City development complex, which offered adequate space with two floors, high ceilings and character necessary for the "good percentage" of art classes that will be moved.
Most of the classes held in the art annex will be moving downtown, and classes not being moved to the new art department building will remain in their current locations.
Thompson said he hopes more classes will be added to the new location after the first move occurs next year.
The university's art and design gallery will likely join the classes and offices being added to the new department building, Thompson said.
The university has committed approximately $226,000 for the first year of rent, as well as $100,000 for renovations.
Funding for both the lease agreement and renovations are being provided through "a variety of sources," Greg Burris, vice president of administrative services, said.
additional reporting by Christie Davenport
A move to 305 W. Mill St. east of Campbell Ave. and about two blocks north of Park Central Square will put students closer to "the arts community" in downtown Springfield. This is an important and necessary change for the "scattered art design program," acting head of the art and design department, Wade Thompson, said.
The Bear Line shuttle system has already been modified to include next fall's new art and design location.
Rebecca Lorenson, a senior art major, is both shocked and thrilled about the department move.
"It's a big surprise that the department is finally moving… with all of the work that we do and not enough space to work with, we're finally getting a great facility," Lorenson said.
The university had been in negotiations with Brick City, L.P. for about six months before reaching the 10-year lease agreement for the 2,101 square foot building, Thompson said.
"A number of sites" were considered before committing to Building #4 of the Brick City development complex, which offered adequate space with two floors, high ceilings and character necessary for the "good percentage" of art classes that will be moved.
Most of the classes held in the art annex will be moving downtown, and classes not being moved to the new art department building will remain in their current locations.
Thompson said he hopes more classes will be added to the new location after the first move occurs next year.
The university's art and design gallery will likely join the classes and offices being added to the new department building, Thompson said.
The university has committed approximately $226,000 for the first year of rent, as well as $100,000 for renovations.
Funding for both the lease agreement and renovations are being provided through "a variety of sources," Greg Burris, vice president of administrative services, said.
additional reporting by Christie Davenport
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