Utah Tech University held a groundbreaking ceremony on March 4, 2026, for the renovation and expansion of the university's McDonald Center, which will provide new space for collaboration, creativity and innovation within Utah Tech University's Art Department.
Zwick Construction is the general contractor for the $27.37 million expansion project, working alongside architecture firm VCBO Architecture.
Originally built in 1968 and most recently housing Utah Tech's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the McDonald Center will undergo a comprehensive remodel of the existing 18,540 sq. ft and the addition of 30,730 sq. ft.
"Our new building will provide the much-needed space for our growing Art Department and will give room for our students to create well beyond what our current facilities will allow," said Meaghan Gates, chair of Utah Tech's Art Department. "With this new centralized location on campus, we will be better integrated into the daily life of our university community."
When complete, the building will feature both creative and instructional environments, including labs for digital animation, painting, drawing, illustration, sculpture, ceramics and photography, as well as a general lecture room, wood shop, gallery, student study areas, studio workspaces and faculty and staff offices.
These updates will support the university's programs in 3-D Sculpture and Ceramics; Entertainment, Arts and Animation; Painting, Drawing and Illustration; and Photography and Digital Imaging.
Expected to open for the Fall 2027 semester, these modern spaces will create a purpose-built environment that supports Utah Tech's polytechnic mission that emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration and career preparation.
"As it is important to recognize the wide range of skills needed to have a true polytechnic learning experience, the development of our new art building and its locations will better bring together the unifying goals of our institution to foster highly capable, career-ready students," Gates said.
Housed within Utah Tech's College of the Arts, the Art Department offers bachelor's and master's degrees.
