Short-term projects will make these spaces particularly three large studios formally used by visual arts classes available for rehersals and other performing arts activities almost immediately. Contractors were at work on studio spaces over the winter interim to make them accessible to students during this term, James said.
"There are classes waiting in the wings to use those spaces when they're ready," James said. "As soon as we settle usage policies [and] as soon as they're actually ready, we'll let students and everybody know how that space will be shared."
The Hop also selected a Portland, Ore.-based architecture firm, Boora Architects, to coordinate longer-term renovation projects that will reimagine the center for the 21st century. The Hop began reviewing architects last spring and selected the Boora group in November, James said.
James called Boora "one of the most prolific designers of performing arts spaces in the country" and said that the group reviewing prospective architecture firms was "very admiring" of the spaces that Boora had designed for other colleges and universities.
"We were very impressed with a couple projects that addressed existing buildings in creative ways," James said. "They create and bring practicality to bear for complicated projects."
Although the Hop is still in the initial planning stages, the center's primary goals are to meet the needs of students for new rehearsal and practice spaces as well as to upgrade the building, whose acoustics and backstage spaces have suffered with age.
The Hop also hopes to promote more multidisciplinary work in the arts by encouraging interaction with fields like computer science and engineering. The early renovation plans include upgrades to student social spaces as well, James said.
The project is overseen by the Provost's Office in collaboration with the Offices of Planning and Design and Project Management. Members of the music and theater departments, Courtyard Cafe, mail delivery and Paddock Music Library are being consulted during the renovation process, James said. The Hop is also seeking student input.
There is currently no set budget for the project because the Hop is still working on a full list of its renovation needs, James said. He said that the Hop will "entertain new construction projects" as part of its planning process, but that there was no way to predict yet how much new construction could occur or when construction might start.
Music professor and Handel Society Director Robert Duff said that renovations of practice spaces were much needed in order to make Dartmouth competitive with its peer institutions. The College currently lacks facilities that are specifically purposed to meet the needs of its orchestra, choral and other groups.
Duff noted that the new spaces should be designed with artistic aesthetic in mind, to make creating art visually and acoustically pleasureable.
Music major Sarah Wang '14 said that she hopes the renovation projects make creating new rehearsal and practice spaces a priority.
"It would be really, really nice to see the Hop use its money wisely to invest for students," Wang said. "For musicians, it's really important that we have the appropriate spaces and tools to be able to hone our skills."
Theater major Gabriel Rodriguez '13 said that the College makes efforts to provide students with the facilities they need for rehearsals and performances, but is limited by what spaces are available. He noted a lack of mid-size spaces and a true black box theater and said that while student groups can be creative about finding rehearsal spaces outside the Hop, such as the Bema, the lack of performance spaces presents a real challenge for students who want to put on productions.
"We need more dedicated multipurpose spaces as well as spaces that can meet specific needs, such as spaces with marled or sprung-wood floors for dances," Rodriguez said.
In his own experience, Rodriguez was able to use his connections, but he said the process was not as easy for non-majors to navigate.
Theater professor James Rice said that he has noticed a recent increase in student involvement in classes and extracurricular activities that use the Hop's facilities.
"Of course it's very exciting that so many Dartmouth students are being drawn to the arts, but it's a major problem," Rice wrote in an email to the Dartmouth. "The Hop has badly needed to address the issue of insufficient academic, rehearsal and performance space."
Theater major Max Hunter '13 said he has been very impressed with the Hop's ability to provide students with the rehearsal and performance spaces that they need. He noted that performing arts majors do get priority to use these spaces over non-academic student groups.
"Most times, there are enough spaces for students, but it's true that dance, a cappella and theater groups are all competing for the same space," Hunter said.
