The newly renovated and expanded Doudna Fine Arts Center is a 269,380-square-foot, state-of-the-art performance and teaching complex for the departments of Art, Music and Theatre Arts. Instructional spaces for the Art Department include studio labs for 2D foundations, 3D foundations, art education, printmaking, painting (two studios), drawing (two studios), weaving, jewelry/metalsmithing, ceramics and sculpture. Electronic media instruction spaces include three graphic design computer labs and a digital art/foundations computer lab. Art history instructional spaces include two multi-media lecture classrooms and a seminar room. Studios and classroom are equipped with the necessary studio art and graphic design equipment to meet the creative and technical needs of the students.
The Burl Ives Studio Hall was constructed in 1990 and has eighteen individual studio spaces and a large critique gallery. Each studio is approximately 350 square feet and has compressed air, water, and internet access. The building has central air conditioning and heating. This facility is one of the finest studio structures available for graduate students in the state of Illinois and contributes greatly to the success of MA in Art program.
The Tarble Arts Center is used by the department for its exhibition, educational, and guest artist programming. Built in 1981 with a 2004 expansion, this 18,000 sq. ft. facility has contributed greatly to increasing the university’s visibility at the state and national levels. The main gallery space features outstanding natural, indirect, and adjustable lighting that, when coupled with movable wall panels, offers interesting arrangements of intimate, private spaces or an open appearance with arrangements for exhibiting larger scale art works. A smaller gallery space is used for exhibitions not requiring or needing large main gallery. The 2004 addition included construction of a second smaller gallery space specifically designed to accommodate new approaches and new media, including digital/electronic displays and installations.
As many as 17 different visual art exhibits are presented each year at the Tarble Arts Center. Departmental exhibitions include the annual faculty, undergraduate, and the graduate exhibitions. In addition, The Tarble Arts Center is utilized for many campus and community events, the artwork on exhibit gets broad university and community exposure. The Tarble Arts Center is an exceptional facility and complements the Art Department programs very effectively.
