The Institute for the Visual Arts symbolizes the coming of age of a young and accomplished university. Founded as a medical center, UAB has grown into a comprehensive university where the arts are vital components of the university´s vision and mission. Thus the Institute for the Visual Arts is a fitting testament to the university´s commitment to promoting the most current research and discourse within all of its disciplines including the arts.

The Institute for the Visual Arts will position itself along with the Birmingham Museum of Art and Space One Eleven as the region´s primary venues for experiencing innovative programming in the visual arts. Here the educational mission of the Department of Art and Art History, the College of Arts and Sciences and UAB is given a voice through the courses faculty teach and the research they conduct, the exhibitions the staff of the Institute organize and sponsor annually, the visiting artists, critics and scholars brought to campus, and the discourse on a wide range of topics the Institute will sponsor and promote.

The Institute will also enhance our ability to educate and train students to become the next generation of artists, artisans, designers, curators, directors, theorists, and educators in the arts. This includes educating non-art students about the importance of the visual arts in their lives and inspiring them to become future arts patrons.

The Architect

We have selected Los Angeles-based Randall Stout Architects to lead our Institute for the Visual Arts project. Randall served as Senior Associate to world-renowned architect Frank Gehry from 1989 to 1996 and, in 1993, started his own architecture firm.The firm has designed numerous noteworthy buildings both in Europe and here,including the new wing of the Hunter Museum of American Art in Chattanooga, and the Art Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke. The Institute for the Visual Arts is designed to meet the current and future needs of the Department of Art and Art History while at the same time serving important community outreach functions for the entire university.

Planning and Fundraising

The Campaign for the Institute for the Visual Arts was launched in 2008 with a projected construction start-up date of fall-2011, and building occupancy in December 2013. Architectural renderings were completed in 2008 to assist the fundraising campaign in meeting its construction and occupancy dates. 

To meet these benchmarks, we continue to seek support for the Institute for the Visual Arts. Please direct inquiries about how you can become involved with the campaign to build this most distinctive building on UAB´s campus to Bert Brouwer or Camille Epps, Development Director, at 205-934-2290 or via email at camilleamos@uab.edu

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