University Galleries of Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois
8,300 sf
In partnership with the Town of Normal and in an effort to strengthen its off-campus presence, Illinois State University relocated its primary art exhibition space to the Town’s new multimodal transportation facility. The facility brings high-speed rail, bus, automobile, and bicycle routes together at the center of Normal’s Uptown neighborhood. The galleries further enliven this revitalized neighborhood, which offers a variety of retail, dining, educational, cultural, and recreational activities. The 8,300 sf ground-level space provides ISU with a visible and easily accessible location where the community can engage with its flourishing fine arts programs.
The design provides several gallery settings for the display of contemporary art by emerging and established artists. A simple finish palette provides a sophisticated backdrop, allowing the art to take center stage. Each gallery is equipped with specialized lighting, audiovisual, and technology systems to accommodate a variety of media. A centralized lobby allows the galleries to operate together or independently, enabling new shows to be installed in one gallery while the others remain open to the public.