The University of Rhode Island Fine Arts Center began construction on a building in 2019, and six years later, renovations are still underway.
From construction noise to setting up temporary spaces, the project has impacted life for those involved in the arts and the wider community at URI.
The old Fine Arts Center housed the music, art and art history and the theatre departments at URI, according to Rachel Walshe, professor of acting and directing at URI. The building was also a communal spot for students, faculty and the public.
“[It was] sort of like in the home, in the kitchen – everyone ends up there [at the Fine Arts Center],” Walshe said.
Though the past building was utilized for communal gathering, its appearance was not very welcoming, according to Walshe.
“It’s a heavy, large, concrete building without many windows,” Walshe said.“ I think by design it was very impermeable.”
Each department located in the Fine Arts Center has faced unique challenges throughout renovations, according to Walshe. Some classes in the Theatre Department have been moved and those that take place in the Fine Arts Center are prone to interruption from construction.
“Our walls are shared with an active constructive zone, so sometimes it’s just simply too loud for us to work in that room,” Walshe said. “To be clear, the construction company and the folks on that side are very receptive.”
The limitations of space have also impacted the curriculum for more hands-on classes, such as those involving acting and directing, according to Walshe. The format of her directing class has shifted focus from the practice of directing to the study of directing.
“Sort of like music, our practice rooms and our rehearsal studios are designed for arts students, so it’s not quite as easy as saying ‘oh, can you give us a different room in a different building’,” Walshe said.
The art and art history department has also faced challenges from the renovation, having to move into a temporary space in Pastore Hall, according to Rebecca Levitan, professor of painting and two-dimensional design. While the department awaits a timeline for moving back into the Fine Arts Building, professors are making the best of their temporary spaces.
“I think it was a little chaotic,” Levitan said.
With limited time due to the move being scheduled between semesters during winter break, Levitan said she and her colleagues rushed to set up their spaces for teaching in the spring.
From a dislocated elbow to furniture not being placed in the spaces she requested, Levitan said she made do with her own and students’ combined efforts.
“Students can tell what the university is investing in and what it’s not investing in,” Levitan said. “The most important thing that I want to do is create a classroom that feels like real care has been put into it; that’s their first signal that they’re going to get a really good experience in the classroom.”
The temporary setup has limitations outside of professors’ and students’ control, according to Levitan. Artwork is not allowed to be hung on the wall.
Unlike the old space, there is not a clear signal to the public and artists at URI that the Art and Art History Department is there, according to Levitan.
Levitan’s temporary classroom faces practical concerns as well, including adequate lighting, storage space, a permanent projector and multiple sinks.
“I’m just one part of this conversation that we’ve been discussing with all of the faculty, but I think we’re both [Levitan and faculty across departments] excited about the new space,” Levitan said. “It’s just going to be a much nicer space. It’s not going to be leaking and things breaking down and all of that.”
With the renovations, the art and arts history department will have new gallery space, and the theatre department will have new rehearsal and practice spaces, according to Levitan and Walshe. These changes mean that the public will have more access to the arts performances, galleries, and shows that URI has to offer.
