Transformation of the Owen Arts Center

Transformation of the Owen Arts Center 00017536 2019-08-29T14:10:36-05:00

Transformation of the Owen Arts Center

To walk through the doors of the Owen Arts Center at SMU Meadows School for the Arts is to enter a world that transcends conventional boundaries; bridges the classic, the contemporary and emerging frontiers; and equips a new generation of artists, creatives, innovators, and thinkers to become more influential in every sector of a rapidly changing world.

At Meadows, everything we do is fueled by our core belief that the arts impact every aspect of life and culture. And now, with a historic challenge grant from The Meadows Foundation, SMU has the extraordinary opportunity to transform the Owen Arts Center into a space that turns our deepest-held values into action.

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Save the Date

Owen Arts Center Renovation Kickoff
Friday, November 8, 2019
4 p.m.
6101 Bishop Boulevard
Dallas, Texas

Owen Arts Center

A Dynamic Hub

New and renovated spaces will foster creativity; encourage innovative teaching, practice, creation, exhibition and collaboration; and attract a talented and diverse community of artists, scholars and visitors from across the campus and around the world. What emerges is a pipeline of creative and artistic talent and leadership that continues to elevate Dallas as a significant nexus for design, innovation and artistic practice and contributes to the rising national and international reputation of Meadows as a leading school of visual, performing and communication arts.

The Owen Arts Center occupies a prominent location at the heart of the historic main campus, with Bishop Boulevard to the east and Hillcrest Avenue to the west.

Find out what Meadows students, faculty and staff have to say about the future of Owen Arts Center!

William B. Jordan Gallery

SMU Meadows School of the Arts aims to celebrate the legacy of the late William B. (“Bill”) Jordan, internationally known scholar, teacher, author, founding director of the Meadows Museum and former chair of the Division of Fine Arts, with the creation of the William B. Jordan Gallery. To be located on the first floor of the original home of the Meadows Museum within the Owen Arts Center, the new gallery will be ideally situated for student critique sessions, temporary exhibitions and gallery talks.

Thanks to donations from Dr. Jordan’s friends, colleagues, and former students, fundraising to support the construction of the William B. Jordan Gallery is more than halfway to the goal of $1 million. Join the effort and make a gift today.

Conceptual rendering only, not an actual image.

William B. Jordan and Algur H. Meadows

A tribute to William B. Jordan, founding director of Meadows Museum and former chair of Division of Fine Arts.

Phase One: $34 Million

Phase One of the renovation will modernize the north wing of the building from Hillcrest Avenue to Bishop Boulevard. The project will create and improve academic spaces for the visual arts, art history and creative computation while transforming exterior entrances into grand, welcoming and accessible spaces.

Center for Visual Arts (North Entrance)

Home to the divisions of art, art history and creative computation and featuring multiple public gathering spaces with a formal entrance on the north side of the building.

Main Gallery

In the Main Gallery, the original Meadows Museum is restored as a gallery to display rotating exhibitions and serve as an elegant entertainment space.

Gene and Jerry Jones Grand Atrium and Plaza

Landscaped plaza along Bishop Boulevard and adjacent enclosed atrium for formal and impromptu student performances, concerts, exhibitions and gatherings.

North Promenade

New, inviting walkway connecting Hillcrest Avenue and Bishop Boulevard, highlighting the new Center for Visual Arts entrance.

Courtyard (Hillcrest Avenue)

Lush space along Hillcrest Avenue suitable for performances and gatherings, serving as the west entryway for Greer Garson Theatre and Hamon Arts Library.

William B. Jordan Gallery

New student gallery for critique sessions, temporary exhibitions and gallery talks to be named in honor of Bill Jordan, founding director of Meadows Museum and former chair of Division of Fine Arts.

Art Studio and Terrace

Newly created, expansive art studio on the top floor featuring natural northern light, floor-to-ceiling windows and opening onto a terrace.

Creative Computation Suite

Fully equipped classrooms and laboratories with innovative technology, studios and meeting spaces on the top floor of the Greer Garson Theatre.

Naming Opportunities

Center for Visual Arts Home to the divisions of art, art history and creative computation, and featuring multiple community gathering spaces with a new formal entrance on the north side of the building.	$10 Million
Gene and Jerry Jones Grand Atrium and Plaza Landscaped plaza along Bishop Boulevard and adjacent enclosed atrium for formal and impromptu student performances, concerts, exhibitions and gatherings	Named
Main Gallery Housed within the original Meadows Museum, this gallery will be restored to its original grandeur to display rotating exhibitions and to serve as an elegant entertaining space	$3 Million
Courtyard (Hillcrest Avenue) Lush space along Hillcrest Avenue suitable for performances and gatherings, serving as the west entryway for Greer Garson Theatre and Hamon Arts Library	Named
North Promenade New, inviting walkway connecting Hillcrest Avenue and Bishop Boulevard, highlighting the new Center for Visual Arts entrance	$1.5 Million
Art Studio and Terrace Newly created, expansive art studio on the top floor featuring natural northern light, floor-to-ceiling windows and opening onto a terrace	Named
William B. Jordan Gallery New student gallery for critique sessions, temporary exhibitions and gallery talks to be named in honor of Bill Jordan, founding director of Meadows Museum and former chair of Division of Fine Arts	$1 Million
Creative Computation Suite Fully equipped classrooms and laboratories with innovative technology, studios and meeting spaces on the top floor of the Greer Garson Theatre	Named

Additional naming opportunities available at lower giving levels

News

For More Information

For information about giving opportunities in support of the transformation of SMU’s Owen Arts Center, please contact the Meadows development office at 214-768-2610 or meadowsgiving@smu.edu.