A new community performing arts center that would serve Claremore and the surrounding area may be built at Rogers State University.
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents – RSU’s governing board – authorized the university to begin the process of selecting an architect to develop preliminary drawings of the facility. The OU Board of Regents met on Monday at RSU in Claremore.
Community leaders in Claremore recently approached the university about developing a performing arts center on the RSU campus, which would be funded by grants from private and public sources, according to Dr. Joe Wiley, RSU president.
“The development of a performing arts center would be beneficial for the cultural enrichment of the RSU campus and the surrounding communities,” Wiley said. “Such a facility would attract nationally touring art, music and theatrical performances, and would provide a much-needed location for locally produced events.”
Planning for the performing arts center is in its preliminary stages and the cost and number of seats has not been determined. A possible location for the facility would be on the northeast corner of the campus at Highway 88 and Blue Starr Road, Wiley said.
In the coming months, community leaders and university officials will conduct a search and selection process for an architectural firm. The OU Board of Regents will vote on their selection. Then the architectural firm will develop preliminary drawings for the facility based on community need.