College of Fine Arts Strategic Facilities Plan
University of Utah

Muir Architects prepared the comprehensive performing arts facility master plan, which encompass all University of Utah performance venues within the College of Fine Arts, including Kingsbury Hall. The study also includes the Departments of Theatre, Music, Dance, and Film & Media Arts, as well as the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Virginia Tanner Dance, located within the Arts and Education Building. The master plan evaluates the adaptive reuse of Kingsbury Hall to better serve the academic and programmatic needs of the College, aligning existing facilities with evolving educational and performance requirements.

The design includes flexible drapery systems that allowed seating sections to be scaled for smaller audiences, increased acoustic volume to enhance opera performances, new restrooms, dean’s offices, theatre department offices, and rehearsal spaces replicating the dimensions and functionality of the Kingsbury Halls stage. Additional improvements included shared rehearsal facilities with the Music Department, enhanced stage loading capabilities, and expanded green room capacity to better support performers and productions.