Norman Public Schools opened the Center for Arts and Learning with a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning.
The center opened on the former site of Journey Fellowship Church, which had been vacant since August 2023. The center will be used for elementary, middle and high school fine art productions, including plays and choir concerts.
The Center for Arts and Learning contains a 1,500-seat auditorium, classrooms and office spaces. NPS purchased the space as part of the 2023 school bond package. The space will also host community events like the chamber’s State of the School address on Wednesday.
NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the space opening will have a lasting impact on NPS students.
“This is all about the kids,” Migliorino said. “This is going to have a generational impact.”
The Center for Arts and Learning boasts a 57-foot wide, curved LED screen, allowing for immersive fine arts experiences for students. This technology makes the center the most advanced public school theater in the state, Migliorino added.
The main lobby of the Center of Arts and Learning on Nov. 15.
NPS Fine Arts Director Evelyn Kwanza said the center will allow students to find and express themselves through singing and acting.
“This space gives the chance to develop themselves outside of education,” Kwanza said. “Getting the confidence to get in front of an audience in a beautiful space like this goes a long way with giving students self-esteem and the ability to share a message or their voice.”
Kwanza said the center will do more than just host events for NPS and Norman. The center will help cultivate life skills and push students out of their comfort zones.
“A lot of times students in fine arts, that is the reason they get out of bed,” Kwanza said. “So this space is incredibly important for them and (teachers) as well. What are the possibilities? What can I expose them to? How can I open up their world for them?”
The main auditorium of the center was named for Brad Benson, former NPS director of fine arts. Benson said the Center for Arts and Learning is the beginning of the school district making a greater investment in the fine arts.
“Over the years, we have had other districts come and see how the center works. We are happy to let other schools get any information they need to help their students succeed,” Benson said.
Benson said it was an honor for the auditorium to be named after him. He said the new space is a tribute to fine arts students.
“I am just glad the space is here for our kids and community,” Benson said. “It was greatly needed and will be greatly used.”
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza. Avery Avery copy edited this story.
