Maine Center for the Arts Reopens for the Remainder of the 2008-2009 Season
In August of 2007, the Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine closed its flagship venue for an 18-month, $11 million renovation. On Sunday, February 1 the Center will host its first official performance, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto.
“The opening of this redesigned facility marks a significant milestone in University of Maine history,” says UMaine President Robert A. Kennedy. “It dramatically improves UMaine’s ability to provide vital access to cultural experiences for our students, our faculty and staff, and people from a wide geographic area who depend on the University to provide unique linkages to the world around us.”
The Center has been renamed for renovation donors Richard R. and Anne A. Collins. Now called the Richard R. and Anne A. Collins Center for the Arts, the Center’s rehab used 61 tons of structural steel – 18 tons in the auditorium, 43 tons in the roof and entry pavilion and 3,808 square feet of glass in the entry wall.
The renovation included a number of updates that are unseen to the public – such as new ventilation and fire alarm systems – and many updates that will make a patron’s visit more satisfying. The renovation made major changes to the exterior façade and entrance, improved amenities for visitors, vastly improved the lighting, sound, and drapery in the hall, refurbished the lobby space, enhanced the Bodwell Lounge, increased the number of restrooms, improved ADA access to restrooms and theatre seating, and created a cafe for guests that will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Hudson Museum will have its own dedicated space on the second floor.
Part of the renovation includes a high definition digital movie projector and a large movie screen. These additions will allow the Collins Center to offer a Movie Series. The Series will show independent and non-mainstream films every Thursday evening in the Hutchins Performance Hall. “Three out of five of the movies nominated for Oscars this year are not playing in our area,” says Associate Director, Adele Adkins. “These are the types of films we will be showing on Thursdays.”
“We want to thank all those who contributed time, money and energy to this renovation project,” says Dick McDonald, President of the Center’s board of advisors. “Especially Dick and Anne Collins – their incredible generosity had enabled us to create a facility that reflects the University’s high quality and lofty aspirations. The Center is fabulous and the impact of the Collins Center for the Arts will only grow as generations of UMaine students and Maine people visit this facility to experience the arts in ways that will transform their lives.”
In addition to the Bangor Symphony’s Sunday performance, the public will be able to experience a number of high-quality performances in the new facility. A full list of performances is available online at CollinsCenterfortheArts.com.
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