University of Montana: Fine Arts Building - Missoula MT

City:: Missoula, MT
Site Type:: Education and Health, Colleges and Universities
New Deal Agencies:: Public Works Funding, Public Works Administration (PWA)
Started:: 1934
Completed:: 1935
Designer:: C. J. Forbis
Quality of Information:: Very Good
Marked:: Yes
Site Survival:: Extant

Description

The Public Works Administration (PWA) provided funding for the Student Union building on the University of Montana campus in 1934 and the building was completed in 1936. It is now the Fine Arts Building and houses the George & Jane Dennison Theater.

According to the National Trust/ Montana Historical Society marker on the building, “Missoula architect C. J. Forbis ushered in a new campus building phase in 1935 with the construction of [the] student union. The building’s placement and modern Art Deco façade broke ranks with the Renaissance Revival style called for in the old Carsley-Gilbert campus master plan. The old plan had contained no such facility, and the new building was sited contrary to the previous symmetrical campus arrangement. Partially funded by Public Works Administration funds so important to the university during the Depression, in concept and form the building provided an architectural statement of renewed vigor and growth. It now serves as the Fine Arts Building.”

The Big Timber Pioneer newspaper reported in September 1934 that the project was already under construction. By January 1936 the project had been completed at a cost of $280,000.