University of Mississippi – Art, Music and Theatre Master Plan

In 2021, the University of Mississippi College of Liberal Arts, commissioned a master plan study to assess the conditions of their existing facilities occupied by the Department of Art & Art History, the Department of Music, and the Department of Theatre & Film to ascertain the possibility of renovation and reuse of existing facilities or the need to develop new physical facilities for these departments. Their goal in this study is to develop a comprehensive and cohesive plan for the Art & Art History, Music and Theatre & Film Departments that facilitate guidance for future growth and development.

The condition of the facilities occupied by these departments is declining, and the spaces are spread throughout Campus in several buildings. The study assesses the growth potential for these departments, based upon historic enrollment data and projected growth capabilities, develops ideal spatial programs to address current and future space needs and makes recommendations for the development and phasing of renovation and new building projects. This master plan begins the programming and planning process to develop each facility and provides test fit schemes to visualize solutions appropriate to each site.

This master plan study for the three culturally associated departments seeks to further define the spatial needs, potential building schemes, developmental phases and potential cost to develop a cultural gateway that supports the University’s Strategic Plan.  Key to the success of the Master Plan is balancing perspectives that include functional program needs, physical environments, financial constraints, and implementation time and process. The recommendations respond first to programmatic needs that support the University’s Strategic Plan. Ensuring physical suitability relative to buildings, adjacencies, and overall campus configuration also played a pivotal role in shaping the plan.

After a comprehensive process of analysis, the study team narrowed down the site options for the three Departments which kept Art and Music in place. Theater would move to a new purpose-built facility in the Ford Center precinct. One additional site option was proposed along the Magnolia Mall for relocation of the Department of Art, although this site is limited in footprint and might not be able to transfer both Art and Art History programs.  Two additional site elements contribute to this Master Plan. A combined Shop and Sound Stage facility is planned on a site outside of the core campus. This facility is intended to solve key functional and unsafe conditions at the current shop in the basement of Fulton Chapel and should be constructed in the near term. Secondly, due to the recent investment in Film at South Oxford Center, it is envisioned that this program remains at South Oxford until such time that its growth outpaces its facilities in approximately 10 – 15 years.