EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents today (June 10, 2021) approved a $4.6 million capital project for the construction of a recently announced 3D Arts Complex as part of the School of Art and Design on the University’s campus in Ypsilanti.

This project will be funded by a $2.2 million grant from the Windgate Foundation with matching funds of  $400,000 in fundraising from the EMU Foundation, and $2.0 million funded by  the University.

The new 3D Arts Complex is designed to advance opportunities in several arts disciplines by providing a dynamic new and expanded space that establishes a collaborative, creative environment for artmaking. Programs to be housed in the new facility include: sculpture, ceramics, furniture design, digital fabrication, 3D design, and metalsmithing. Currently, these programs are spread across several campus buildings.

The complex will primarily serve general education and 3D media studio art students and will be constructed on the northwest corner of campus as part of the University’s current Sculpture Studio. It is scheduled for completion in 2023.

“This is an outstanding opportunity to expand the University’s footprint in the 3D arts world with an exciting, dynamic and highly functional space that will bring together many disciplines in a creative environment,” said Eastern Michigan University President James Smith. “We are most grateful to the Windgate Foundation for supporting the vision and extensive planning for the new complex under the fine leadership of School of Art and Design Director Sandra Murchison.”

For more information on the School of Art and Design, visit the EMU College of Arts and Sciences homepage.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

About Windgate Foundation

The Windgate Foundation awards grants to non-profit public charities in the United States. The Windgate Foundation focuses its support on: significant educational programs in contemporary craft and visual arts, programs providing visual arts, art education, or effective instructional support to K-12 schools, and higher education institutional support for visual arts and scholarships.