Groundbreaking was Friday for Ball State University’s new Art and Journalism Building.

Construction of the $32 million facility between the Teachers College and the Ball Communications Building is expected to begin around July 12 and be completed by the end of November 2000.

The 207,141-square-foot building provides additional space and up-to-date technologies to the departments of art and journalism, as well as house a 400-seat food service and dining facility and the university bookstore.

"The building design incorporates these entities into one facility with a consistent architectural character," said Susan Johnson, project manager. "The building is organized around a central atrium space to which two building masses intersect."

The east/west structure houses the majority of the Department of Art spaces and will provide natural lighting for studio spaces. The department’s space will increase from its current 33,833 square feet to 57,205 square feet.

"The Art Department is very excited about the new building," said Chairman Tom Spoerner. "While we currently reside in a very beautiful building, the studios are small and the ventilation is not good."

The new structure offers better ventilation, needed to keep the department accredited with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. Other improvements include larger art studios, space for two galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden.

The journalism department will increase from its current square footage of 20,274 feet in the West Quadrangle Building to 32,074 square feet. The department will be housed in the diagonal wing of the building.

"Its diagonal orientation emphasizes the connection to the Ball Communications Building to the north," said Johnson.

The Daily News, Ball Bearings, Cardinal Communications, Expo and other student organization offices will be located on the second floor.

The building should have a significant impact on the university’s journalism program, said chairperson Marilyn Weaver. "The building can bring an increased visibility as a state-wide or Midwest leader in journalism," she said. "Programs we will originate from our classrooms to schools and professionals will bring a new awareness to the quality of our program. I predict this state-of-the-art building will help us increase the number of undergraduates and graduate students."

The first floor contains the bookstore and dining facility, which provides a more centralized location for these products and services.

The building will also provide definition to the southwest corner of the campus’ North Quadrangle.

"With Bracken Library flanked on the other side of McKinley Avenue, the building will act as a gateway to the North Quad," said Johnson. "The design is intended to be inviting and to foster interaction among the entire student body by providing a major place of destination."

Architect for the project is Ratio Architects, Inc., Indianapolis.