WBAQ Fact Sheet
What is it?
- A 10-acre district on the University’s West Bank campus that brings together all education, research and performance/exhibition facilities for the arts (art, dance, music and theatre).
- Includes five buildings: Rarig Center (theater); Ferguson Hall (music); Ted Mann Concert Hall; Barbara Barker Center for Dance; and new Art Building.
The Numbers
- 10,000 students use the Arts Quarter buildings each year.
- More than 160,000 audience members visit the Arts Quarter each year.
- There are 2,596 permanent seats for Arts Quarter audience members.
- At least 250 events are held in the Arts Quarter each year.
- 826 parking spaces are located within a block and a half of all the Arts Quarter buildings.
Well-known Architects
- Art Building was designed by University of Minnesota Architecture Professor Garth Rockcastle of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle in Minneapolis
- Barbara Barker Center for Dance (1999) was designed by Joan Sorrano of Hammel Green, and Abrahamson.
- Ferguson Hall was designed by Elizabeth Close, the first woman architect in Minnesota, and opened in 1985.
- Ted Mann Concert Hall (1993) was designed by Kurt Green of Hammel Green and Abrahamson.
- Rarig Center was designed by Ralph Rapson and opened in 1971.
Historical Facts
- The site of the Ted Mann Concert Hall was once home to a brewery. The Clay Elementary School used to be located west of Rarig Center.
- The West Bank campus was once a residential neighborhood. The university began West Bank construction in 1961 with Heller and Blegen Halls and the Social Sciences Building.
- The art, theatre arts and dance departments and School of Music, which make up the West Bank Arts Quarter, all originated on the East Bank. The School of Music was founded as a department in 1902 and the Department of Theatre was founded in 1931; both have been housed in Scott Hall. The Dance program was started in the 1920s and for 60 years was part of the Department of Physical Education. The Art Department functioned in Jones Hall before moving to its temporary home (of 38 years) on the West Bank in 1965.
Photo (top) by Jayme Halbritter