Compared to many other academic buildings at Colgate University, the Dana Arts Center has been recognized for its unique layout and historical controversies by students and faculty alike.
When it was built, Dana was considered to be a building representative of its time, with the goal of displaying American life and individuality during the heightened tensions of the Cold War. Designed by Paul Rudolph, the first presentation of the project was in December 1963 and was approved by the Board of Trustees shortly after.
Professor of Art Robert McVaugh has done extensive research into the creation and design of the Dana Arts Center. In the fall semester of 2011, McVaugh held a seminar on the topic, called “An Architect’s Vision: Paul Rudolph and Colgate University’s Creative Arts Center,” discussing the history of the building and the purposes of its design.
A Cold War relic, the building was meant to showcase what made the United States different from its competitors. In the ’60s, education was also meant to cultivate individuality and creativity, which is what Rudolph’s architecture is meant to promote.
“The 1960s was a very different time, and [Rudolph’s design] went out of its way to create a provocative building to be challenging and enhance the creativity of the individual student body,” McVaugh conveyed. “If you go in there, you will find that no two spaces will be the same in terms of light, architecture and design.”
The building was focused on a targeted set of priorities, with a clear focus on the political climate of the 1960s and the transition from the Kennedy presidency into the Lyndon B. Johnson presidency. The events that most notably had a significant impact on the design were the Civil Rights Movement and the Cold War. The issue with creating a design that highlights the era of its creation is that all institutions change, which leads to a change in the way that the building might be needed. The theater has been a functioning example of something that might not fit the current needs of the school.
Photos of the Dana Arts Center were chosen and integrated into the American Pavilion at Expo ’70 in Osaka, Japan. The American Pavilion included pictures of the architecture of the U.S., and Dana was included to show the expression of individuality and creativity that the country had to offer.
With the original design of the building, the primary entrance was supposed to be on the roof walking across a bridge from the Spear House parking lot. Students were expected to enter from the top and were meant to walk through the building and down to where their classes were held. The idea was to hear and notice all the arts around you, creating an appreciation for all of the arts.
While the building was originally meant to house all of the arts, Colgate has grown exponentially, which has changed the way the building is used today. To house the studio arts, the University built the Ryan Studio building next door.
Dana was also never meant to house an art museum, but the Picker Art Gallery has found ways to work around design limitations. While it can be difficult to expand the use of buildings beyond their original intent, the current Dana Arts Center represents what a living and changing campus looks like.
First-year Josie Chase, who has performed ballet shows in the theater, shared her experience and critiques of the space.
“I don’t love the theater. The stage itself is fine and works for what we need, but it seems like it is hard for the audience on the outskirts to see what is going on,” Chase revealed.
Some students appreciate the building’s role as a place for independent study. First-year Daniyar Ali described his personal experience and use of the building.
“I use Dana mostly as a place to practice violin, and I definitely like that the practice rooms there are larger than elsewhere on campus, so I have space to move around a bit as I play. Although, it can be slightly annoying if other people are practicing at the same time as the rooms aren’t very well soundproofed,” Ali explained.
McVaugh likes to leave his students with a piece of advice on their way to the building.
“The hurdle to get over with Dana is that the building is not convenient and easy to get to — it makes you go beyond the routine and habitual. It makes you work for it,” McVaugh said.
