FARMINGTON – The Emery Community Arts Center on the University of Maine at Farmington campus has recently been awarded a National Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture for a New Building by the Society for College and University Planning. This innovative arts center was designed by designLAB architects of Boston and was conceived as a venue to engage both the campus and local community in the exploration of the visual and performing arts.
The award recognizes the strong partnerships and collaborative planning that contributed to the design of this facility, which supports creative talents in the community and on campus. The award program acknowledges the excellence in planning, design and implementation efforts of firms and institutions, as well as the achievements of individuals involved in higher education.
Designed to complement the historic performance venues of Nordica Auditorium and Alumni Theater, the 15,000-square-foot Emery Community Arts Center is the keystone for the arts complex on the UMF campus.
The center features a state-of-the-art 2,500-square-foot, 160-seat multipurpose performance space with dynamic vertical foldaway doors that open onto an outdoor performance area. A 1,600-square-foot Flex-Space gallery provides exhibit space for traditional and new media and performance art. While a dramatic interior corridor offers additional exhibition space and connects the center with the existing Alumni Theater. The building opened one year ago.
Wait for it…
Not a fan, will never be a fan, and am not impressed. A Kalikow Folly…
It’s hideous and looks out of place, not to mention the 20 +/- parking spots the building replaced. What a waste of money.
No big deal though, as long as it looks pretty and gets useless and pointless awards… It doesn’t matter how much it costs or how fugly it is, I guess.
Typical…
I hope that’s what you were waiting for “Fanof the Emery”… the truth
Congratulations and Happy 1st Birthday :)
I don’t think the building reveals how special it is when just viewed from the outside. Even the picture for the article doesn’t really say, “Wow, beautiful architecture!” But go inside, and it’s a whole different story. Inside it’s open, airy, inviting, peaceful, and fun.
I wonder if any of the detractors have visited the center to see a performance or an exhibit?
You can someone to say anything you want. This is living proof. What a bunch of bs!!!!