UD performing arts center expected to open for 2023-24 academic year

DAYTON — The University of Dayton is aiming for a 2023-24 academic year opening for its new $45 million performing arts center, which will be built at the intersection of Main and Stewart streets on the western edge of campus.

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The Roger Glass Center for the Arts will bring concerts, dance, theater performances and art exhibits featuring students, faculty, visiting artists and community members.

“The arts have really grown here, and the students need a facility like this. It’s a gift to our students, to the University, and to the community, and we thank Roger for his generosity in making this facility possible,” said UD President Eric Spina.

The 51,000-square-foot facility will have a 400-seat concert hall that can be acoustically tuned to groups from the orchestra to smaller ensembles.

The building also will have learning space for student-managed media, including Flyer News, Flyer TV and Flyer Radio.

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The center is named after Roger Glass, a communication arts graduate from the university who is the lead donor on the project.

“When I went to UD, everything was scattered,” Glass said. “This is an opportunity for all of the arts at UD to come together and have an amazing place to display their talents. Not only the university but the community will be able to take advantage of the center for the arts.”

The project has support from 120 donors.

“We are so grateful for the support of the donors who made this possible, for their appreciation of what the arts mean to the University and to our students, and for their commitment to making these opportunities available for UD’s students now and far into the future,” said Julia Randel, chair of the department of music.

Construction on the project is expected to begin soon after university trustees approved the project on Monday.

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