BYU's Arts Building, the replacement for the Harris Fine Arts Center, opened this fall, and the college it houses is marking its 100th year. The College of Fine Arts and Communications traces its start to 1925, when BYU founded the first fine arts college in the Intermountain West. It began with about 100 students. It has about 3,300 now, according to Suzanne Campbell, the college's assistant dean of external relations.
The college opened the new building to the public for a centennial open house on the evening of Saturday, October 10, with tours, performances from several departments and a preview of the BYU play All the Beautiful Things.
What is inside
The Daily Herald reported the building's inventory from the college:
| Theaters | 4 |
| Galleries | 6 |
| Studios | 29 |
| Classrooms | 28 |
| Labs | 12 |
| Rehearsal spaces | 4 |
| Total space | More than 275,000 square feet |
| Performances | More than 500 expected each year |
It is home to the art, design, theater and media arts departments and the college's administrative offices. Two of the four theaters stand out. The studio theater can be reconfigured for each production, something Campbell said the old building's heating and cooling could not support, and the black box, called the experimental theater, is run by students.
Where the HFAC went
The Harris Fine Arts Center was demolished starting in early 2023, and the Arts Building was built on the same site. If an older campus guide or a photo list sends you to the HFAC, it is pointing at this building now. Our BYU campus visitor guide and photography spots guide reflect the change.
Seeing a show
For most readers the building's value is what happens on its stages. BYU theater and dance productions are ticketed through the university's arts box office, so check the season calendar before you plan a night around one. For the rest of the valley's stages, from the Covey Center to The Ruth in Pleasant Grove, see our live theater guide, and for a night out around a performance, our live music guide and museums guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new BYU Arts Building?
What is inside the Arts Building?
How many performances will the Arts Building host?
What happened to the Harris Fine Arts Center?
Why is the college celebrating a centennial?
Was the centennial celebration open to the public?
How do I see a show in the Arts Building?
Where can I park to see a show at BYU?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- BYU Fine Arts College to hold centennial celebration at new building, Daily Herald. Checked October 12, 2026.