Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
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The main entrance
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 Location in Colorado
Location in the United States
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| Location | 30 W. Dale St., Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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| Area | 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Meem, John Gaw; Rogers, Platt |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001455 |
| Added to NRHP | July 03, 1986 |
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (FAC) is a cool place where you can explore art, watch plays, and even take art classes! It's located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, right next to the American Numismatic Association and part of the Colorado College campus.
The center uses a thick red square as its special logo.
Contents
History of the Arts Center
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center was built in 1936 thanks to a very generous gift from a woman named Alice Bemis Taylor. She gave $600,000 to build it and another $400,000 to help it run for a long time.
This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people didn't have jobs. Alice Taylor wanted the project to help people find work. She also donated her huge collection of Native American and Hispanic art, plus thousands of books about American history. She dreamed of a place that everyone could visit for free.
Before the Fine Arts Center, an art school called the Broadmoor Art Academy was on the same land. Another person, Julie Penrose, donated the land for the center. Elizabeth Sage Hare also helped make this dream come true. It was the first place in the country to combine an art museum, an art school, and a theater all in one!
The building was designed by an architect from New Mexico named John Gaw Meem. He created a really special design that mixed modern ideas with older styles like Pueblo Revival and Spanish Colonial. This unique style became known as "Santa Fe Style" architecture. In 1940, Meem's modern design even won a Silver Medal at a big architecture event. The building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When the center first opened in April 1936, many famous artists came. Martha Graham performed a dance, and Frank Lloyd Wright, a famous architect, gave a talk about the building. Other artists created special shows and designs. The art school also had amazing teachers like Boardman Robinson.
On July 1, 2017, the center officially became the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.
What the Center Looks Like
The Fine Arts Center is a modern building made of concrete. It looks a bit like traditional Pueblo buildings, but it also has cool Art Deco designs and classic touches. It has different heights, from one to four stories, with the tallest part being for the theater stage.
Inside, you'll find many things! There are art galleries, art studios where people create art, and places for performances, including a theater that seats 400 people. There's also a music room, a gift shop, and offices.
The outside walls of the building have amazing murals painted by artists Boardman Robinson and Frank Mechau. Inside the theater, above the doors, you can see three cool aluminum panels that show Native American Kachina masks. These were made by a sculptor named Arnold Rönnebeck. Other artists also painted murals in the original theater lounge, which is now a restaurant.
Experts have described the building as having a "timeless character." Its mix of old and new styles, and its use of concrete, aluminum, and glass, make it a truly special place that connects to the region's history and future.
The center is located next to Monument Valley Park and offers a great view of Pikes Peak. It's also close to the city's main business area and the Colorado College campus. The building has been well-cared for and still looks much like it did when it was first built.
What You Can Do at the Arts Center
The Fine Arts Center is a multi-purpose place, meaning it has many different parts for you to enjoy:
- Art Museum - Here, you can explore several galleries. They show off a permanent collection of art from the Southwest, along with other artworks. They also have new exhibits that change throughout the year.
- The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company - This group puts on comedies, dramas, and musicals. The center also hosts music and dance shows, and even film festivals.
- Bemis School of Art - This school offers art classes for people in the community, including both adults and children. Four times a year, they even have free "Family Adventure Days" where everyone can come and create art!
- A retail shop and lounge - You can find unique gifts and relax here.
Good news! If you are a member, a student, or a teacher, you can get in for free!
Cool Art and Exhibits to See
The center has some really special art pieces and collections:
- You can see beautiful chandeliers made by the famous artist Dale Chihuly.
- It has one of the best collections in the country of Native American, Latin American, and Hispanic American art.
- The permanent collection includes works by well-known artists like John Singer Sargent, Georgia O'Keeffe, Richard Diebenkorn, Walt Kuhn, and Ansel Adams.
The Theater and Its Expansion
The center was built with a performing arts theater from the very beginning. In 2006, the center grew even bigger! They added more than 48,000 square feet of space. A new section was built next to the Bemis School of Art, adding more studios for classes and rehearsal rooms for the theater.
A brand new building was also constructed to give the museum more space to show its art. Now there are large areas just for American Indian, Latin American, and American art. This expansion was designed by architect David Tryba and built to very high standards for museums.
Famous Students
Some talented artists who studied at the center include:
- Robert Beauchamp
- Eric Bransby
- James Duard Marshall
- Veronica Helfensteller
See also
