Ohio State University’s planned Arts District is coming to life

New drawings of Ohio State University’s latest development plans have brought the planned Arts District to life, showing a modern, sleek, state-of-the-art facility that promises students a place “to come together to engage the arts.”

“These facilities, located centrally and prominently near the Oval, will anchor the university’s ambitious new Arts District and reinforce our commitment to creative inquiry and performance,” Dean for Arts and Humanities in the College of Arts and Sciences, Peter L. Hahn, said in a statement.

“This project will bring world-class spaces to our School of Music and Department of Theatre for teaching, learning and performance — all for the benefit of our students, our faculty and the Columbus community.”

According to the university, the new Arts District will include a renovated Weigel Hall, home of the School of Music, and a new building for the Department of Theatre featuring new performance spaces, modern recital halls and high-tech classrooms.

The whole development is expected to cost US$162 million, with US$147 million coming from Ohio State. The remained is made up from US$1.6 million from Ohio State Energy Partners, and an anticipated US$50 million from private fundraising to support the project.

The university is currently seeking approval from the board of trustees to finalise the design and release the money to start the projects. Once approval has been secured, construction will begin in June and the facility is expected to open in December 2021.

“Momentum continues to build for our investment in the arts programs through these new facilities and the nearby 15+HIGH project led by Campus Partners,” said Keith Myers, vice president of Planning, Architecture and Real Estate.

“We envision this district as a centerpiece for the campus, and a place for the community to come together to engage the arts.”

The Arts District is part of Framework 2.0, a long-range plan for the physical environment of the Columbus campus guided and informed by Ohio State’s Time and Change strategic plan.