The Center for the Performing Arts and Art Building at Miami University

The chairman of the music department at the time, Dr. Everett F. Nelson, had quite a few good things to say about the Center for the Performing Arts and how it impacted their department. “Quite aside from the functional aspects of the building and its attractive facilities, we now have a sense of being together as a department. Not long ago, the music department’s activities were scattered – Hall Auditorium, Hepburn Hall, Harrison Hall, McGuffey Hall, and Irvin Halls.” Theater director Dr. Donald L. Rosenburg was in accordance. “Also, a valuable exchange of ideas has developed between our department and the drama department. This is an unlooked-for spinoff and one that is proving fruitful.” …….”The interaction of the music and theater departments is mutually beneficial. Both programs are booming. In theater, we’re playing to 90 percent capacity, and students comprise 78 to 80 percent of that audience.” [4] Donations were contributed toward the Center for the Performing Arts by Sidney W. Souers, who at the time also served as head of the Central Intelligence Agency, or the CIA.[5]

The architects of the Art Building, Steed-Hammond-Paul Architects of Hamilton, got the bidding for the design. Several other bidders got commissions for the building as well. The bidders for the project were the companies that provided the services to the building construction such as heating, electric, fire protection, and airflow. These companies were Monarch Construction Co ($2,153,900), Studebacker Electric Co ($373,384), J.A. Croson Crew ($185,000), Fred B. DeBra Co. ($459,450), Kahoe Air Balancing Co. ($6,300), and General Firematic Sprinkler Co. ($43,400).[6] The construction window at the time was predicted to last between 12 and 14 months, with groundbreaking beginning in late fall or early spring. Richard Celeste, the governor who originally signed the monetary funding for the art building, participated actively in the groundbreaking for the new art building.[7]

On March 12, 1971, a dedication concert took place to open the building to the public. The president of the university at the time, Phillip R. Shriver, held the honor of presiding over the function. Hardigg Sexton, the director of the neighboring Sesquicentennial Chapel, recited the official invocation for the event. The architect of the building, Herbert F. Hilmer, from the Cellarius &Hilmer architecture firm was also in attendance to formally present the building to the community. The presentation of the key was delivered by Marvin L. Warner of the board of trustees. The concert included several prominent student performance groups, including as the Men’s Glee Club and the New Music Ensemble, orchestrated by Ronald Herder.[8]

During the year 1986, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the art building took place as part of the events of the “57 years of art” celebration on Miami’s campus. The cutting was to be the 14th of June 1986, with the Art building opening that very same day.[9] The purpose of the celebration was to designate the anniversary of the first school of fine arts degree awarded to a student. Three hundred graduates traveled to Miami to participate in the event.[3] The structure was completed in 1986 by the Steed-Hammond-Paul architecture practice.

The major performance spaces in the Center for the Performing Arts are the theater and the recital hall, holding a capacity of 400 seats and 150 seats respectively. These performance spaces are complemented by a full music library and a 2 floor listening center seating between 170 and 250, all with individual listening units for educational purposes. The center was designed with ample studio and rehearsal space, boasting 22 office studio rooms and 76 individual rehearsal rooms. A rehearsal space for a full band or orchestra accompanies these study spaces. A “green room” serves the common space for reception with a small kitchen. The theater has dressing and makeup rooms for the performance members, set construction capabilities, a costume room, and the basement serves as storage for props, costumes, and setups alike. Both auditoriums are also privileged to have their own box offices and check rooms. Classrooms and seminar spaces are also in the building.[4] They also improve the options and possibilities for staging setups. The staging structure allows for creating an elevator, apron, or orchestra pit by using a hydraulically operated platform. Also, the stage area is almost three times the height of the seating area.[4]

Housing the art department [9] The Art building has three stories. The main lecture hall holds room enough for 217 seats. Two of the stories are partially taken up by an open gallery. The remainder of the building holds accompanying studios and classrooms.[2][7][9] The building design keeps in theme with the Georgian features of Miami’s architecture through the rest of the campus. There are several architecturally innovative features throughout the building such as light wells and specifically designed window openings to provide more natural lighting. Other areas of the building allow for exhibition space and video recording studios. At the time there were also future plans for a computer lab.[3]