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BUCKSBAUM CENTER FOR THE ARTS

As one approaches the south side of central campus, where all the academic buildings reside, the Bucksbaum Center for the Arts (generally known by students simply as "Fine Arts") looms across the horizon. The newly constructed home of the Fine Arts at Grinnell is the second largest building on campus and houses a wonderful array of facilities.

The Bucksbaum Center was designed by reknowned architect Cesar Pelli, of the Kuala Lampur Petronas Towers fame. The building facilities were completed in May of 1999, with a dedication ceremony on September 25, 1999. The new edifice contains the old Fine Arts complex, with the addition of an expansive set of new spaces. Notable additions include a 7,420 square-foot, climate controlled gallery space where the college's Permanent Collection, in addition to travelling exhibitions, will be displayed. There's also the 4,050 square-foot Sebring-Lewis Recital Hall, an expansive space with a very rich sound where student recitals to full concerts are held. On the Theatre side of things, the 2,000 square-foot Hallie Flanagan arena theatre, which contains enough neat stuff to make the most jaded techie drool, was also completed.

But that's not all. The Bucksbaum Center for the Arts boasts rehearsal rooms for ensembles, early music and world music. In addition to the Hallie Flanagan studio theatre, we have the newly renovated Roberts Theatre, which is a more traditional thrust-stage theatre that seats 424 people. For student productions and classes, there is The Wall blackbox theatre. For visual artists, we have six brand new, fully equipped art studios . And speaking of studios, the new Electronic Music Studio is up and running, as is the 13 station keyboard lab. Each station is equipped with a G4 PowerMac, a 98-key keyboard, and the necessary software for production of multimedia and world wide web items. The Art Department also has its own computer lab for creating and printing high-quality digital artworks. For set designers, the new scene shop is a very large space with 20 foot ceilings, a dedicated dust collection system and a full array of powertools. Dancers can enjoy the new dance studio and the springing under the Roberts Theatre stage that makes it safe for dance.

The building also sports 15 practice rooms -- most with pianos, 4 seminar rooms, a lecture room, musical instrument storage lockers, faculty and staff offices, and a beautifully landscaped main entrance with a small outdoor stage.