Construction of the Visual Arts Center, which has been underway since Spring 2010, is "progressing quite quickly now," according to Matt Purcell, associate director of project management of the College.
The building which will house both the studio art and the film and media studies departments has maintained its construction schedule. The departments expected to transition to the new facilities in Fall 2012, Purcell said, at which time classes will begin.
The construction has maintained its original budget, Purcell said. The VAC was funded by the largest donation in Dartmouth's history a $50-million gift from an anonymous family, The Dartmouth previously reported.
The project began in Spring 2010 and initially proceeded slower than planned due to the greater amount of granite underneath the site than had been originally anticipated, Purcell said.
The project will cause some disruption for Dartmouth students and local residents, according to Purcell. A sidewalk on Lebanon Street will be shut off for about a month in the next stage of construction in order for utility lines to be moved underground, he added.
Although the sidewalk change was originally a town project, because the College wanted the work to be finished sooner than originally planned, the town is cooperating with the College to speed up the process, Purcell said.
A number of business owners based on Lebanon Street complained about the noise generated by the project last summer.
After construction is completed, the building will have a slate, stone and glass facade, The Dartmouth previously reported. According to Purcell, a layer of stone that will envelop the exterior of the building will go up shortly.
Work will begin on the rainwater collection system, as well as on some of the interior facilities in the next phase of construction.
This design was originally subject to controversy, The Dartmouth previously reported. Members of the College's Liaison Committee, which seeks to act as a link between Dartmouth and the local community, raised concerns, arguing that the design of the new building was too urban and did not fit with the New England architectural style. Hanover residents also cited reservations about its design.
College officials defended the design, pointing to the College's eclectic architectural styles. The Hanover Planning Board sided with the College, voting in favor of the current design for the VAC, The Dartmouth previously reported.
The current facilities, which are housed in the Hopkins Center for the Arts, are "a little crowded," according to Rebekah Riley '13 a Studio Art major who said she looked forward to moving into the new facilities.
"We really need more room, and the move will give professors offices," she said.
Riley said that this project exemplifies Dartmouth's commitment to the arts, and will benefit the College in the long-term.
"It is really encouraging that the College is giving money and support to art," she said, adding that the investment put Dartmouth in a stronger position than other schools, which seem more reluctant to fund art programs. As a result, other schools often suffer with poor facilities, she said.
The visual arts were previously based in Clement Hall, a former car dealership that was not designed to be an arts center, The Dartmouth previously reported. These old facilities were demolished in February 2010.
After its completion, the VAC will represent a large improvement over past arts facilities. It will contain various studios, a new Lowe Theater, a gallery and an art forum. It will also be in a more convenient location, situated next to both the Hopins Center and the Hood Museum.
