Handel Center On Track
Darren Duncan
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: News
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According to the Hartford Web site, Walter Harrison stated, "Mort and Irma Handel have shared our vision for this project from the beginning. Their $1.5 million commitment, the largest gift from individual donors to the Performing Arts Center, is just the latest chapter in their long history of support for the University of Hartford, The Hartt School and the Hartford arts community."
The Mort and Irma Handel Performing Arts Center is 55,000 square-feet and is scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. In addition, the University stated on the Hartford Web site, "The University of Hartford Performing Arts Complex will provide new performance spaces, rehearsal halls, teaching rooms and studios for the internationally renowned, 85-year-old Hartt School, alleviating significant space shortages in the school's existing building and providing state-of-the-art facilities for Hartt students and the community alike."
Many Hartt School students are very enthusiastic about this addition and are looking forward to its grand opening next fall. Hartt School Freshman Kim Miller stated, "I think constructing this new facility is a good idea. Lincoln Theater and Millard Auditorium are both really nice, but this new facility would benefit the students more with additional space to perform."
Harrt school dean, Malcolm Morrison stated, "With the new Performing Arts Center, The Hartt School will finally have a home that matches the exceptional quality of its programs." The new facility is going to be on the corner of Albany Avenue and Westbourne Parkway in Hartford. In addition, the Performing Arts Center is changing the former Cadillac distributor into the center of the new dynamic center.
Funding for this center is coming from multiple sources. On the Hartford Web site, the University stated, "Funding for the $21 million first phase of the project has come from federal, state and city government; individual donors; and corporations and foundations, including MassMutual Financial Group and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. In recognition of MassMutual's $610,000 gift, President Harrison announced that the primary passageway within the main building will be called the MassMutual Gallery."
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