Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
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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 Street, 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 3, 1986 |
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (often called the FAC) is a cool place for art and performances. It's located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, close to the city center. The center shares its block with the American Numismatic Association and parts of Colorado College. Its logo is a thick red square outline. This special building has been recognized as a historic place since July 3, 1986.
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History of the Arts Center
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center was built in 1936. A generous person named Alice Bemis Taylor gave $600,000 for its construction. She also donated another $400,000 to help it run. This was during the Great Depression, a time when many people didn't have jobs. Taylor wanted the project to help unemployed workers find work.
Alice Bemis Taylor also gave her large collection of Native American and Hispanic art to the center. She also donated 6,000 books about American history. She wanted the center to be a place for everyone, with no admission fee. Before the Fine Arts Center, the Broadmoor Art Academy was on the same land. This land was given by Julie Penrose. Elizabeth Sage Hare also helped Taylor and Penrose create the center. It was the first place in the country to combine an art museum, an art school, and a performing arts venue.
Building Design and Recognition
The Fine Arts Center was designed by New Mexico architect John Gaw Meem. He created a unique style that mixed modern ideas with old Pueblo and Spanish Colonial building styles. This new style was called "Santa Fe Style" architecture. In 1940, Meem's modern design won a Silver Medal at a big architecture meeting. The building is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site.
Grand Opening and Early Events
The center officially opened in April 1936. Many famous artists were there. Martha Graham performed her dance called Lamentation-Dance of Sorrow. The famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright gave a talk about the building. Manuel de Falla performed an opera using life-sized puppets. Alexander Calder designed the stage for a musical performance. Some of the art school's first teachers included Boardman Robinson, Adolf Dehn, and Jean Charlot.
On July 1, 2017, the center became known as the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College.
What You'll Find at the Center
The Fine Arts Center is a modern building made of concrete. It looks like a Pueblo-style building but also has Art Deco and classic design elements. It has one, two, and even four stories in some parts, like the theater's fly tower. Inside, you'll find many things:
- Art galleries
- Art studios
- Performing arts spaces, including a 400-seat theater
- A music room
- A gift shop
- Storage and office areas
Art and Murals
The outside walls of the building have amazing murals. These were created by Boardman Robinson and Frank Mechau. Inside the auditorium, there are three cool aluminum panels above the doors. These show Pueblo and Hopi Indian Kachina masks. They were made by a sculptor named Arnold Rönnebeck. The original theater lounge, which is now a restaurant, has murals by Andrew Dasburg, Kenneth Adams, and Ward Lockwood. There's also a mural in a downstairs lounge by Archie Musick.
The building is 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 center has been well-cared for and looks much like it did when it was first built.
Arts Center Activities
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center offers many different activities for people of all ages.
Art Museum and Collections
The Art Museum has several galleries. Here, you can see the center's permanent collection of Southwest art. They also show other permanent artworks and host new art shows throughout the year. These shows might feature art from different places or special themes.
Theater Company and Performances
The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company puts on many types of shows. They produce comedies, dramas, and musicals. The center also hosts music and dance events. You can even catch film festivals there.
Bemis School of Art
The Bemis School of Art offers art classes for the local community. Both adults and children can take classes here. Four times a year, the school hosts free "Family Adventure Days." These are fun events where families can explore art together.
Other Features
The center also has a retail shop where you can buy gifts and art-related items. There's also a lounge where visitors can relax. Admission to the center is free for members, students, and teachers.
Special Artworks and Exhibitions
The center is home to some very special art pieces and collections:
- Beautiful chandeliers made by the famous artist Dale Chihuly.
- One of the country's best collections of Native American, Latin American, and Hispanic American art.
- Works by famous artists like John Singer Sargent, Georgia O'Keeffe, Richard Diebenkorn, Walt Kuhn, and Ansel Adams.
Theater Expansion
The center was built with a performing arts theater. In 2006, the center grew by more than 48,000 square feet. A new section was added next to the Bemis School of Art. This new part created more studio space for classes and rehearsal areas for the theater. A new building was also constructed to provide more space for the museum's art exhibitions. There are large areas specifically for American Indian, Latin American, and American art. This expansion was designed by architect David Tryba. It was built to meet high standards for museums.
Notable Students
Many talented artists have studied at the Fine Arts Center, including:
- Robert Beauchamp
- Eric Bransby
- James Duard Marshall
- Veronica Helfensteller
See also
