The University of Arkansas at Little Rock on Monday announced a $20.3 million grant from the Windgate Charitable Foundation and unveiled design plans for the new visual arts education facility it will fund.
The grant from the Siloam Springs-based charity is the largest gift ever given to a specific UALR academic program, and the second largest overall gift to the university, UALR associate director of communications Keli Jacobi said.
The 71,636-square-foot building, to be located on the UALR campus at 28th Street and East Campus Drive, will integrate the school’s applied design program and the art history and studio arts programs. The project is expected to be completed by fall 2017.
About 1,000 students enroll in visual arts classes each year, and currently there are 180 visual arts majors and 16 full-time faculty members in the department, UALR said in a news release.
Drawing, painting, printmaking, art history and 2-D design and illustration classrooms will occupy the north side of the building, and two galleries for exhibits and lectures with be housed on the ground floor.
Areas for applied design, including sculpture, furniture design and ceramics, will have access to outdoor studio space for natural ventilation and sunlight.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.