Visual Arts Center opened

On May 20, Grossmont College held a ribbon cutting for its new $44 million Performing and Visual Arts Center. A centerpiece at the campus, the new venue, nearly 39,000 square feet broke ground in 2017, and will serve as an instructional and performance venue for theater, dance, and music programs. It is also the new home for the Hyde Art Gallery. Funded by Proposition V, the 53-foot tall structure, designed by LPA Inc. is the tallest instructional facility on campus with a 390-seat multipurpose theater with one of the largest stages in the county an orchestra pit and balcony.

“This building represents a way to expand on our already successful Summer Arts Conservatory productions by having a space that can now produce a piece of musical theater in the way it deserves,” said Theatre Arts Department head Brian Rickel in a press release. “The fly system, the orchestra pit and the larger stage are really going to allow us the opportunity to soar as we move forward into an exciting future and we cannot wait to show off a bit for our audiences who’ve been waiting for this moment a very long time.”

Derek Cannon, who heads the music department, said the new venue will also allow the music department to sponsor music festivals and expand outreach efforts with local high schools and the community overall.

“Our desire is to become the cultural center of the East County,” said Cannon, who joined two music students in a jazz performance at the ribbon cutting.

The college is planning a grand opening in the spring with the return of on-campus instruction.

Other major projects on the Grossmont and Cuyamaca College campuses being funded by Proposition V include the second phase of the Grossmont College Science, Math and Career Technology Complex, a Student Services Building at Cuyamaca College, and a renovation underway of the Ornamental Horticulture complex at Cuyamaca College.

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Source: East County Californian