CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University leaders announced today that a new $70 million arts and education complex on OSU’s Corvallis campus will be built at the corner of Southwest 15th Street and Washington Way.

“The arts and education complex will serve as a unique and dynamic education and performance center and will be a showcase destination for the visual, musical, theater and cultural arts for students, faculty, campus visitors and Oregonians,” said Larry Rodgers, dean of OSU’s College of Liberal Arts.

Design of the complex is underway and will include classrooms, offices, performance theaters and rehearsal rooms. Groundbreaking will occur in June 2020 while completion of the complex is anticipated in summer 2022.

A lead gift of $25 million for the complex has been provided by an anonymous donor. Additional gifts include a $2 million commitment from the family of the late Lynne Detrick of West Linn to build a new 500-seat concert hall to offer a high-caliber venue for both listeners and performers, Rodgers said. The OSU Foundation continues to seek philanthropic support for the center, and OSU will also seek state bonding from the 2020 Oregon Legislature to help support the project.

The future location of the arts center is presently used by OSU Facilities Services, which will move to university property located near the northwest corner of 35th Street and Western Boulevard.

Several locations were evaluated for constructing the Arts and Education Complex, including OSU’s LaSells Stewart Center along 26th Street. The LaSells Stewart Center will remain as a center for university and community conferences, large attendance events and performances and campus and public gatherings. Opened in 1981, the center attracts more than 150,000 attendees annually. 

“The new arts and education complex will be located in an area near existing large campus parking lots and served by numerous pathways, making it easy for patrons to attend events at the venue,” said Steve Clark, vice president for university relations and marketing. “The university also will provide additional parking required by city of Corvallis development codes.”

Motorist, pedestrian and public transit access to the complex will be provided within the campus and by multiple street portals: 15th and 26th streets, Washington Way, Western Boulevard, Monroe Avenue and Highway 34. Extensive accessible campus pedestrian pathways will serve the complex. The complex’s location complements future improvements to Washington Way being planned by the city and university.

College of Liberal Arts

About the OSU College of Liberal Arts: The College of Liberal Arts encompasses seven distinct schools, as well as several interdisciplinary initiatives, that focus on humanities, social sciences, and fine and performing arts. Curriculum developed by the college’s nationally and internationally-renowned faculty prepares students to approach the complex problems of the world ethically and thoughtfully, contributing to a student's academic foundation and helping to build real-world skills for a 21st century career and a purposeful life.

Source: 

Steve Clark, 541-737-3808, 503-502-8217, [email protected]

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