Introducing Windgate Center

The cutting-edge design allows our students and faculty to foster new collaborative partnerships across multiple academic disciplines. These experiences directly impact the cultural and economic needs of communities across the state, region and beyond by producing graduates who are critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers.

In addition to providing much-needed class, studio, rehearsal and performance spaces, the center further establishes UCA as a leader in the arts and a destination for exceptional cultural experiences for future generations.

The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts is made possible by a transformative $20 million matching gift from the Windgate Foundation, a $3 million gift from the Alice Walton Foundation, other donations and the UCA Board of Trustees commitment to dedicating state bonds to the construction of the facility.

The Creative Quad and Sculpture Garden is the front porch of the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts and is visible from the Bruce Street entrance. This space is the outdoor collaboration area for all arts students, as well as a prime venue for public art initiatives and outdoor concerts and productions. This space allows the university to expand the architectural creativity of the campus while maintaining our decades-long tradition of the Neo-Georgian architecture style.

The 3D Building is a 22,802 square-foot separate structure that houses many different types of physical arts spaces, including sculpture, ceramics, wax working, welding and an animation lab. The outdoor space provides additional room for metal casting activities.

The Win and Carmen Thompson Atrium is a grand space that welcomes guests to the building. The box office and the public entrances to the Concert Hall, James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre and Art Gallery are located in the atrium. This is also where the Keystone Steps are located that will be used to hold academic “talkbacks.”

The James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre is a venue of reconfigurable space with the capability of accommodating up to 200 guests. By design, the space is customizable, allowing for unique productions and intimate audience experiences.

The Art Gallery is at the front of the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts. This gallery showcases the works of students, guest artists and traveling exhibitions, and serves

The Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts offers Central Arkansas arts patrons a unique opportunity to experience visual art, theatre and music, all under the same roof.

Keystone Steps

Creative Quad and Sculpture Garden

James M. Bridges Black Box Theatre

as the focal point of any event that takes place in the atrium. This gallery offers an intimate setting to exhibit art. This space is fully equipped with state-of-the-art lighting and includes UV and humidity protection. The sequestered gallery is free from natural light that can damage artwork and will allow for the display of delicate or older artifacts and collections.

The Recital/Rehearsal Hall serves as another venue for the UCA Department of Music to host senior and junior recitals, faculty recitals and artists-in-residence events. This hall is also the rehearsal space of the UCA Chamber Choir, Concert Choir and University Chorus.

The hall is equipped with recording capabilities and has a multi-layer sound absorption system designed for musical performances.

The Concert Hall is the single largest venue space within the facility with 455 seats. The 71-seat choir loft, located directly behind the stage, can lend itself to audience seating when a choir is not in use.

The hall is also outfitted with 12 private loge boxes offering patrons a premium view of the stage while they listen to live music. The space also features a full complement of sound, lighting and video equipment.

Art Gallery

Katherine Scott Percussion Suite Concert Hall

More performances are added throughout the season. For a current list, visit uca.edu/windgate or call the Windgate Box Office: 501.470.7572.

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

UCA Public Appearances is a division of the university’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Its primary responsibility is to develop and present performing arts programming to the entire Central Arkansas community. These events are held at Reynolds Performance Hall and Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Public Appearances:

Jesse Washington, Journalist, Author and Documentary Filmmaker Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Ben Folds What Matters Most Tour presented by the Office of the President Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.

Lee Rocker in Concert

Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Sean Ardoin Kreole Rock and Soul Concert April 4, 7:30 p.m.

Amber Straughn, Astrophysicist April 7, 7:30 p.m.

UCA DEPARTMENT OF ART AND DESIGN

The Department of Art and Design views educational achievement as both an individual and collective responsibility. Offering a variety of undergraduate programs in art, the department directs the educational progress of students toward quality research, creative practice and public service. Art uniquely transforms those who create and those who respond. The department uses the transformative value of art to connect members of the community, enhancing and enriching lives, and making us more conscious of ourselves and others in the world.

Windgate Gallery Shows:

Rex Deloney Sept. 11 - Oct. 20

Russel Crotty, “A Look into the Vast” March 14 - April 19

Ben Folds

Lee Rocker

UCA DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

The UCA Department of Music is an artistic community of more than 220 music majors who participate in over 25 different student ensembles that include the spirited Bear Marching Band, the electrifying Conway Symphony Orchestra, the award-winning Concert Choir, and a host of other large and small ensembles. Our music ensembles have traveled to Spain, Japan, England, Italy, China and Austria, and the UCA Wind Ensemble recently performed at Carnegie Hall.

UCA boasts a faculty of 50 artists, music academicians and staff who have studied at the most prestigious universities and conservatories in the world. With a specialist for every aspect of the music curriculum, the Department of Music makes it possible for students to reach their highest potential.

Department of Music Performances:

UCA Jazz Ensemble Concert

Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Concert Choir/Chamber Singers Concert

Oct. 15, 5 p.m.

Percussion Ensemble Concert

Nov. 19, 3 p.m.

Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band Concert

Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Music Department Gala

Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Faculty Concert: Neil Rutman, Piano

March 12, 7:30 p.m.

Natural Slides Concert

April 2, 7:30 p.m.

String Chamber Recital

April 17, 7:30 p.m.

CONWAY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

The Conway Symphony Orchestra (CSO) provides high-quality, professional musical performances and educational programs for the Central Arkansas community. The orchestra is comprised of approximately 75 musicians, preprofessional music students from the University of Central Arkansas and professional musicians from the region. The CSO is conducted by Maestro Israel Getzov, Director of Orchestras at UCA, conductor of Little Rock Winds and Artistic Advisor at Orquesta Filarmónica de Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Originally a joint project of the music departments at Hendrix College and the University of Central Arkansas, the CSO played its debut concert in 1984. Now in its 39th season, the CSO performs six concerts per season, including four subscription concerts, a free Concert in the Park each September, and often a contracted performance as part of the UCA Public Appearances series. The CSO is proud to have vibrant community and educational outreach programs providing free performances in schools, community spaces and senior living facilities in the Central Arkansas area.

Conway Symphony Orchestra Concerts at Windgate:

The CSO’s Windgate Debut Concert - Oct. 29, 4 p.m.

“Origin Stories” - March 2, 7:30 p.m.

“It takes 2!” - April 27, 7:30 p.m.

Neil Rutman Jazz Ensemble

UCA THEATRE PROGRAM

The UCA theatre program has an emphasis on collaboration and process that grounds each student in the fundamentals of acting, directing, design, and technical theatre and allows the pursuit of advanced specialty in each of these areas. The program seeks to connect theatre study and practice to its historical and social contexts and encourages students to engage with their communities and with the wider world. The program celebrates the UCA core values of critical inquiry, communication, responsible living and diversity.

UCA Theatre promotes excellence in the classroom and on the stage. Students have the opportunity to direct, stage manage, or design in the areas of scenery, costumes, lighting and/or sound in our state-of-theart black box production facility.

UCA Theatre Program Performances:

Murder on the Orient Express

Nov. 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18

Head Over Heels

April 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13

(Times differ depending on the day. Visit uca.edu/windgate for more information.)

More performances are added throughout the season. For a current list, visit uca.edu/ windgate or call the Windgate Box Office: 501.470.7572.

Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre produces a selection of the Bard’s plays, along with other productions, during its annual summer festival in Conway. The festival has been featured in The New York Times and is a major educational force in the state.

This professional company brings respected and experienced Shakespearean actors to Arkansas for each season, producing vibrant, engaging, lively and provocative performances for all Arkansans.