Albany State University will soon expand as the university holds a formal groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art Fine Arts Center 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 12.

University administrators and local and state officials will meld shovels with earth to signify the start of construction for the 80,000 square-foot Fine Arts Center.

The facility will be located on the upper campus, between the Billy C. Black Building and Residence Hall 5.  The structure has a $25.1 million estimated total cost and is expected to open fall 2017.

“It took several years to get the building finalized for Albany State University, and we are looking forward to officially breaking ground,” said ASU President Art Dunning. “Creative industries in Georgia provide $29 billion in annual revenue, so this center will help in regional economic development through university performances and community productions that will be held there.”

The ultra-modern building will include multi-purpose instructional spaces, lecture and recital halls, a band rehearsal room, instrumental and choral rehearsal spaces, art studios and a “black box” studio theater.
 
“We appreciate all of our local and state officials who will attend the ceremony to celebrate such an incredible moment for the University,” said Wendy Wilson, special assistant to the president for strategic communications and university relations and the Groundbreaking Committee chair. “We also want to thank our university faculty, staff, students and alumni who have helped to see this project through.”
 
Art, music, speech, theater and music education will be moved from Holley Hall into the new facility.

Designed to achieve maximum space and utility, the building will incorporate over 50 professional staff offices, 12 classroom labs for English and general instruction, and eight studio art classrooms.

A reception in the Billy C. Black Building atrium will follow the ceremony. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Billy C. Black Building Atrium.  The event is free and open to public.