The Artis Center has several spaces dedicated to bringing the arts to life.
The Main Stage Theater houses a proscenium stage set for large scale productions. Plays, dance concerts, fashion shows, special events and the University Performance Series events take place here. The hall can seat more than 500 patrons and is equipped with state-of-the-art computer consoles, projection and sound systems and LED lighting fixtures. There is also a complete fly system with line-sets every foot in the proscenium space. A full lift in the orchestra pit, modern dressing rooms and a comfortable green room complete the facilities.
The Artis Center also has a spacious Black Box Theater. This is a flexible seating area where smaller productions can take place. Student-led productions will find a home here frequently and more than 100 can be seated here to enjoy the shows. Additionally, the center boasts a Studio Theater, a shared space where spectators can see dance performances and other productions throughout the year.
The main atrium of the Artis Center is known as the Performance Hub, a dynamic, flexible space in the Artis Center where spectators will see a wide variety of activities. This central location hosts pop-up concerts, art events, fashion shows and theatrical performances as well as public events and gatherings. It can easily be converted into a reception space and features “learning stairs,” an area where students can work, socialize and grow together. The Performance Hub is designed to be one of the most interesting and active spots on campus.
The Artis Center is also replete with art and exhibition spaces. Art from students, faculty and our permanent collection reside on walls throughout the facility. There’s a comfortable gallery space in room 302 across from the Dean’s Suite. Additionally, display rooms with glass panels will feature the work of design and art students throughout the year in regular rotation.
Preparation for a life in the arts means developing practical skills used in creation and performance.
Studio spaces are an important part of the center’s design. The Art Department has studio labs for art foundations, painting, drawing, ceramics and photography as well as computer lab studios for graphic designers.
Theater students enjoy a new costume shop, a theater design lab and a spacious scene shop located close to the performance areas for easy access. There is also a piano classroom, and a state-of-art recording studio where music students can record and mix their work, along with special music education and music therapy classrooms.
Dance and Design have wonderful learning spaces as well. The fourth floor features a dance studio overlooking the beautiful campus and an impressive open area interior design learning space adjacent to a CAD lab. Fashion design and merchandizing have their own lab spaces as well.
In addition, there is a “maker space” (including a light lab) for transforming ideas into reality. Students from art, theatre and design will utilize this facility.
The Artis Center’s shared clinical spaces enable interprofessional work between the Waldron College of Health Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Music therapy and speech-language therapy students share clinical spaces with observation rooms, for example. The Radford University Brain Injury (RUBI) center provides comprehensive cognitive-communication speech language pathology services as well. Master of Occupational Therapy Students hold week-long summer camp experiences for three to six-year-olds, and some treatment practicums can utilize the talents of theater, music and dance students.
The new facilities provide the space for a stimulating mix of art and science. Additionally, the College of Nursing utilizes room 310 to accommodate large prelicensure BSN classes of 80 students. The classroom is set up in pods to accommodate active learning and has mobile monitors.
One of the goals of the Artis Center is to bring the greater community to campus. The building offers groups an opportunity to rent spaces, including the Black Box Theater, for their events, gatherings and performances. To get more information about what is available and how to reserve space, please contact us.