The newly opened Rosalind S. Richardson Center for the Arts responds to a priority outlined in Wofford College’s Campus Master Plan to support a growing visual and perforating arts curriculum and to make artwork and theatrical performances readily available to students and the community at large. The building is named after the wife of Wofford alumnus and trustee Jerry Richardson, founder and owner of the Carolina Panthers.

A 300-seat proscenium theatre with a 2,600 SF stage is located at the heart of the building, anchoring the Theatre Department and outfitted with high performance theatrical lighting, rigging, and audiovisual systems. Additionally, a black box “studio” theatre provides a more intimate performance and educational space, and includes a walkable lighting grid intended to serve as a “light lab”. Both performance spaces are supported by dressing rooms, green room, acting / rehearsal studio, costume design shop, and wood shop for scenery construction. All spaces anticipate that performances will be designed, operated, and performed by students.

The Art Department makes use of studios for drawing, painting, ceramics, and sculpture, each sized to accommodate 20-25 students at easels, drawing benches or work tables. All studios are washed with natural light and situate adjacent a courtyard, which serves as outdoor learning, art-making, and display space.

Artwork is publicly displayed in a museum designed to house Wofford’s permanent art collection, as well as in a student gallery immediately off of the main lobby. Two large, glass sculptures created by Chihuly Studios were commissioned by the Richardson’s and are featured proximately in open areas of the building. Students and visitors are sure to encounter artwork at every turn.

Various seminar and lecture format classrooms, faculty offices, and storage/service spaces complete the building. Many circulation areas are oversized and feature lounge furniture and USB receptacles to encourage students to spend time in the building between classes. The exterior features limestone, brick, copper and large areas of glass.

At a total project cost of just under $30 million, the project opened in mid-2017.