Creative Energy: The Artis Center Brings Healthcare and the Arts Together

Looking at the skyline of Radford University’s campus, a new center of creativity and innovation rises, promising to reshape the landscape of arts education.

The Artis Center of Adaptive Innovation and Creativity, slated for a grand opening in fall 2024, stands tall as the new home of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. With 178,000 square feet of space, it is set to become the largest academic building at Radford University, heralding a new era of interdisciplinary collaboration and artistic exploration.

Tim Channell, interim dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is brimming with excitement about the possibilities that the Artis Center holds. “The nice thing about the building is it’s very interdisciplinary in nature,” he said. “When you go in, you’re not going to see a silo of theater and art and design. They’re interspersed throughout the entire building.”

The essence of the Artis Center lies in its ability to promote collaboration and integration among different artistic disciplines. Channell emphasizes the importance of motion within the building, with classrooms designed to showcase activity and creativity. “You’ll see motion all the time in the building,” he explained. “Classrooms are not just brick blocks; they have windows into the classroom, in the hallways, as well as outward-facing, showcasing works in progress.”

The design philosophy extends to the inclusion of glass jewel boxes on the fourth floor, serving as dance studios where the outside world can witness dancers rehearsing and artists honing their craft. This transparency reflects the center’s commitment to breaking down barriers and supporting a deeper understanding of all forms of art.

Beyond its architectural marvels, the Artis Center aims to forge new connections between the arts and health sciences. When finished, the building will also house blended student spaces serving the Waldron College of Health and Human Services and the Artis College of Science and Technology. The center will be a hub for creative arts therapy, expanding opportunities for students and professionals alike.

“We’re looking to develop that intersection between the arts and health sciences,” Channell said. “It’s about looking at the entire individual and how the arts can contribute to healing and well-being.”

The center is named for alumna Nancy Eisenhart Artis ’73 and her husband, H. Pat Artis, Ph.D., who gifted the university $6 million to support scholarships in the Waldron College of Health and Human Services, the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of Athletics.

Holly Cline, chair of the Department of Design, is excited about the innovative spaces the Artis Center will provide. “I am most excited about the maker spaces and the learning stair and hub,” she said.

We will have state-ofthe-art facilities that will finally bring all the arts under one roof.

James Robey, chair of the Department of Dance, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of the Artis Center. “The Artis Center creates the space for us to transition from a culture of castles to one of a crossroads that will serve as a hub of creativity and innovation for the campus and the region,” he said.

As the opening of the Artis Center draws near, anticipation runs high among faculty, students and the broader community. Channell looks forward to the day when the entire College of Visual and Performing Arts can finally come together under one roof.

“There’s real excitement about getting in and being together as one college again,” he said. “It’s about creating a space that is more inviting and provides opportunities for creativity for everyone.”

With its visionary design and collaborative spirit, the Artis Center of Adaptive Innovation and Creativity will elevate the arts and health sciences at Radford University and far beyond. As the doors of this groundbreaking facility swing open, they usher in a new era of artistic excellence and interdisciplinary exploration.

Please contact Penny White at pwhite@radford.edu to learn more about naming opportunities available in the Artis Center.