New School of Music building approved for University of Missouri

The University of Missouri Board of Curators approved plans Friday to build a new School of Music building on the Columbia campus.

Board members unanimously approved the project during their meeting in St. Louis.

Friday’s approval will allow the University to start Phase 1 of the project. Fundraising for Phase 2 of the project will continue, which includes a 500-seat concert hall.

“I’m grateful to the Board of Curators and to our generous donors who support this project,” said interim Dean of the College of Arts and Science Patricia Okker. “This building will be a destination venue for our campus and community.”

The current Fine Arts Building was constructed in the 1960s and houses the School of Music, the Department of Art, and the Department of Theatre.

Right now, the School of Music is spread across six buildings. The new building will centralize the department into one facility on the northeast corner of Hitt Street and University Avenue.

Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield helped fund the project by donating a $10 million gift to the University of Missouri to construct the new building. It was the largest donation ever given to Mizzou to support the fine arts.