Arts Building
Currently Under Construction
The Harris Fine Arts Building: Where We Began (1965)
The arts have always been an integral part of BYU’s history, shaped by generations of talented artists and dedicated patrons. In 1900, Miriam Nelke joined Brigham Young Academy and founded the university’s theatre department, laying the foundation for thriving tradition of performing arts.
Now, more than a century later, that legacy continues to grow as we look toward the future with the construction of a new Arts Building. This site was once home to the Harris Fine Arts Center, a beloved landmark at BYU. The building served as the heart of the arts on campus for over 50 years. Named after Franklin S. Harris, Harris was more than just a university president, he was a visionary who helped shape BYU into the institution it is today. Under his leadership the College of Fine Arts was created, appointing Garrit de Jong as its first dean. Harris believed that art and music were at the heart of a meaningful, well-rounded life, a philosophy that would leave a lasting imprint on the university.
After years of dedicated service, Franklin S. Harris passed away on April 18, 1960. But his influence on BYU was far from over. Just two years later, in October 1962, the BYU Board of Trustees announced plans for a new building to honor his legacy, The Harris Fine Arts Center. Then-president Ernest L. Wilkinson credited Harris with planting the seeds of artistic excellence at BYU. “His administration was responsible for the acquirement of hundreds of important paintings and art objects,” Wilkinson said. “The distinguished position enjoyed by the University as a music center both for the study and enjoyment of music is largely the result of the support he gave to the fine arts.”
Construction of the Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center began on June 18, 1962, and the building was officially dedicated on April 3, 1965. It would go on to become a beloved campus landmark, one that stood not only as a tribute to Harris but also as a testament to his enduring belief in the power of the arts. In 2023, it was respectfully demolished to make way for a new, state-of-the-art facility, reflecting BYU’s ongoing commitment to progress. The new Arts Building is scheduled for completion in 2025
New Arts Building: Where We Are Now
The second installment in the future of BYU’s College of Fine Arts is the construction of the New Arts Building. Construction began in early 2023 and is currently underway. Students and faculty watch with excitement as a new center for art and design rises from the rubble of the beloved Franklin S. Harris Fine Arts Center.
The new building will house the college's administrative offices, along with the departments of Art, Design, and Theatre & Media Arts (TMA). During construction, the college is temporarily located in the former Provo High School building on University Avenue, also the future site of BYU’s Medical School.
The New Arts Building will include a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities:
• A Broadway-style proscenium theatre
• A new main theater
• A black box theatre
• An advanced cinema theater
• Media viewing rooms
• Art galleries
• A production studio
• A six-station lactation room designed to support both students and patrons
Honoring the past, the building will feature terrazzo (a mosaic flooring made from pieces of granite or marble) as a design element, echoing the iconic terrazzo staircases of the original Harris Fine Arts Center through sweeping benches and stairs.
Once complete, the building is expected to host more than 500 on-campus performances each year.
Each program within the college is committed to preparing graduates whose creative and professional work contributes positively to society, benefits the organizations they serve, and enriches the audiences they reach. The New Arts Building is envisioned as a place where this mission of inspired learning can flourish.
“The arts and music programs are beacons of excellence for the university,” said Shane Reese, BYU academic vice president. “We look forward to these two beautiful new buildings, which will highlight the incredible talents of the students, faculty, and staff within the college.”
