In 2008, a historic flood destroyed several integral buildings on the University of Iowa campus. As the waters receded, they left behind an arts campus that was decimated, disjointed, and without a clear path forward. After eight long, hard-fought years the campus is taking an enormous leap forward with the grand openings of Hancher Auditorium, the Visual Arts Building, and the Voxman Music Building.
The new Hancher Auditorium opened its doors in September, drawing awe and astonishment for the architectural mastery behind it. Hancher creates a lasting impression for anyone who sees the sun glisten off its curved stainless steel exterior or who views the stunning vistas of campus from inside its walls. The 191,000 square foot performing arts facility welcomed Steve Martin and Martin Short for its inaugural performance and will play host to a dazzling array of music, theater, comedy, and Broadway shows this season. Upcoming shows include The Book of Mormon, Mamma Mia!, Yo-Yo Ma, and The Joffrey Ballet. UI students received discounted tickets to each Hancher show, with some as low as just $10 for a world-class arts performance.
Sitting only a few blocks to the south of Hancher is the new Visual Arts Building. The 126,000 square foot facility hosts the University of Iowa’s School of Art and Art History. The building’s unique design allows natural light to fill the space and encourages collaboration between faculty, students, and the public. Each floor of the building is dedicated to different academic areas. Students taking art classes in the Visual Arts Building have access to 20 private studios, 15 kilns, and a variety of unique study spaces. Eventually, the building’s vast white walls will be covered with artwork produced by UI students.
While Hancher and Visual Arts have reclaimed the areas they were before the flood, the new Voxman Music Building is expanding the connection between the arts and downtown Iowa City. The six-level glass exterior facility sits cater-corner from downtown Iowa City. A 700-seat concert hall, 200-seat recital hall, organ performance hall, music library, private studio spaces, and expansive study areas make the structure not only a boon to music students, but the entire campus community. The School of Music hosts nearly 350 events each year, almost all of which are free and open to the public.
The opening of these three buildings marks the culmination of eight years of recovery and rebuilding on campus. Now with a bright future of arts innovation on the horizon, Hawkeyes can sit back and enjoy the show.