NEWBERG, Ore. — A major building development is nearing completion at George Fox University: a new 12,000-square-foot Art and Design and Cinematic Arts Building is set to open in fall 2025.
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Construction began in fall 2024 and is expected to be completed by August.
The building, located east of Pennington Hall and south of Klages Center (home of the Engineering Maker Hub), will serve as a core facility for the university’s arts programs. It will be shared by the Art and Design and Cinematic Arts departments, which currently operate in several buildings scattered around campus.
“A bigger space has always been a need for the department. [Current] spaces are inadequate,” said Alex Chung, director of George Fox’s School of Cinematic Arts.
The facility is designed to prepare students for careers in the arts by offering spaces equipped with advanced technology and resources. One of the most anticipated features, according to Chung, is a 66-seat screening room.
“Our goal is that it can be open to more than just George Fox students — schools, businesses, and organizations as well,” Chung said.
In addition to classrooms and studio space, the building will house a new student equipment center stocked with updated technologies and supplies. The design also includes dedicated spaces for ceramics, glass, and 3D sculpture, as well as gallery areas and an outdoor courtyard for expanded production work.
Marvin Eans, director of the Department of Art and Design, looks forward to the new space “fostering a sense of community and collaboration among students.”
Eans and Chung both anticipate the building will help attract more incoming students.
“This building will hopefully energize faculty and bring the community’s attention to the program,” Chung said.
With expanded facilities, new technology, and a space designed to bring artists together, George Fox University is positioning its arts programs at the center of campus life.
For now, construction continues steadily, and faculty and returning students prepare for the transition.
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