Brigham Young University Opened New Arts Building
The 275,000-square-foot facility replaces the demolished Harris Fine Arts Center with modern studios and theater space.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Fine Art
Live Poll
Do you believe university investments in dedicated arts facilities provide significant value to the local community?
Brigham Young University held a grand opening ceremony on October 10 for its new 275,000-square-foot Arts Building. The facility, which opened for the fall 2026 semester, is designed to foster student collaboration.
Why it matters
The new building aims to drive interdisciplinarity and creativity among students by providing dedicated modern spaces for arts education. It replaces the Harris Fine Arts Center, which was demolished in 2023.
The new facility comprises 275,000 square feet, housing 12 labs, 28 classrooms, and 29 studios. It is projected to host more than 500 performances annually.
The players
Brigham Young University
A private university based in Provo, Utah, that is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The details
The design features modular spaces that allow for reconfigured seating and stages, alongside living galleries that showcase current student work. It also incorporates terrazzo designs salvaged from the previous Harris Fine Arts Center.
Timeline
Spring 2023: The Harris Fine Arts Center was demolished.
Fall 2026: The new Arts Building opened to students.
October 10, 2026: The university held a grand opening ceremony for the building.
Industry Dynamics
This opening represents a significant upgrade in campus infrastructure, moving from legacy facilities like the Harris Fine Arts Center toward modular, high-tech environments. Such investments reflect a broader trend in higher education to centralize creative disciplines within collaborative, multipurpose hubs.
Students and faculty gain access to 29 studios and 12 labs designed for interdisciplinary work. The public may attend the more than 500 performances projected to take place annually in the new 800-seat theater.
The takeaway
The integration of terrazzo designs from the demolished Harris Fine Arts Center offers a physical link to the university history within the new space. This structure provides students with flexible, professional-grade tools to develop their creative portfolios.
Further reading
For more information on the local arts scene, visit the Fine Art section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BYU Daily Universe.
Live Poll
Do you believe university investments in dedicated arts facilities provide significant value to the local community?
