Painting, sculpture, dance, drama, music and performance art have a new venue with the official opening of the Arts and Administration Building at the University of Toronto at Scarborough (UTSC) today. Funding for the $20-million facility was provided by the U of T Enrolment Growth Fund and the Ontario government.
“The McGuinty government believes that education is a fundamental cornerstone for a prosperous Ontario,” said David Caplan, minister of public infrastructure renewal. The opening of this facility will continue to ensure greater student success. I look forward to the creative and cultural advances that will emerge from this wonderful campus.”
U of T president David Naylor heralded the latest campus addition. “The creative process and the understanding and appreciation of the arts are an integral component of a well-rounded life. The government’s support has been key to this successful project and it gives me great pleasure to know that UTSC and the greater community have a new focal point for the arts.”
Designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc., the four-storey, 5,530 square metre (60,000 square feet) centre features classrooms, studios for fine art and music and a 300-seat lecture theatre. The graduate art studio will support the university’s tri-campus master’s program in visual studies. A new campus Welcome Centre is an integral part of the building, as well as offices for the registrar, faculty and staff. The building has been designed with leading-edge energy efficiency and environmental design.
“For the many talented students and faculty in our growing visual and performing arts programs, this new facility offers a wonderful space for them to explore and develop their creativity,” said Professor Kwong-loi Shun, vice-president and principal at UTSC.
Founded in 1964, UTSC has a current enrolment of approximately 8,800 students, projected to increase to 10,000 by 2010. The Arts and Administration Building is the fifth new building to be completed in the three-year, $150-million capital expansion program on the UTSC campus. Joan Foley Hall, a new residence for 230 students and a new Academic Resource Centre were opened in 2003. UTSC’s Management Building and award-winning Student Centre were opened in 2004.