SFCC has seen a lot of construction changes in the past few years. Next year will be no exception.

A major building project aimed at replacing the old and outdated photography and fine arts buildings is scheduled to begin in summer 2019, at an estimated cost of $38,490,089.

While that may seem like a lot of money, these are two of the oldest buildings on campus. The fine arts building was built in 1965 as a music facility, and the photography building was originally built by the army back in 1930 as a dispensary for Fort George Wright.

Bonnie Brunt, the dean of visual and performing arts, has been closely involved with the project. 

The original project proposal began in 2007. The design process is set to kick off in January.

“The photography building (11) will have to be torn down before construction on the new building begins … The last I heard, teardown of that building may begin summer of 2019. The fine arts building (6) will not be demolished until the fine arts program has moved to the new building,” Brunt wrote in an email.

Groundbreaking for the new photography building is scheduled to begin in April 2020, with the expected completion date of December 2021 and occupancy to start in January 2022.

Brunt said the new building will be two stories tall overlooking the river, with additional computer classrooms and fewer lecture classrooms.

“Housing the fine arts program and the photo program together in one building will allow for new collaborations and synergies to develop.”

Brunt said fine arts students and faculty will stay put during construction, but photography faculty and students will have to be housed elsewhere.

“Our preference would be to find rooms on campus that could be retrofitted,” Brunt said.

Brunt said the projects have been appropriated funding for design thus far, and added, “There is always a small chance that the funding would be reduced or reallocated based on the 2019 legislative session. It’s very unlikely, but unfortunately nothing is sure until the bill is signed.”

So, as long as the funding remains intact, look to 2022 for a shiny new modern fine arts and photography facility.