One of the oldest community colleges in California, MJC has two main campuses in the city of Modesto and serves more than 18,000 day and evening students each semester.
Located near the city of Sonora in the wooded Sierra Nevada foothills, Columbia College is a primary resource of adult learning for residents throughout the Mother Lode region.
Project: Auditorium Renovation
General Use: Performing Arts/Assembly/Instruction
Square Feet: 54,527
Status: Completed
Architect: Grothe & Smith
Budgeted Cost: $19,617,000 (Measure E portion)
Construction Start: October 2006
Opened: August 2008
Project Goal
Provide a state-of-the-art performance facility for the Arts Division.
Overview
This project involved the renovation of the MJC auditorium building, a facility built in 1959, which needed to be updated to accommodate new technologies. Additional space needed to be built to allow for growth in TV, Radio, Dance and Theatre programs. Additional office space was needed for faculty and staff. The vision of the Arts division was to create the finest educational and performance auditorium in our area. The auditorium provides theatre, humanities, dance, radio, television and film with space for labs, rehearsal rooms, classrooms and performance space. The auditorium now has ample storage space and a soundproof area for stage-craft construction. The performance spaces were fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Each area was engineered for acoustical performance needs. The performance environments are aesthetically pleasing with comfortable seats and with clear site lines for audience members. The new auditorium is also be the center for the administration of the Arts division, providing them with new offices for instructors and staff.
The Arts Division draws students from all over the district region to enroll in the Fine Arts at Modesto Junior College. The auditorium offers a complete undergraduate program in the fine and performing arts, and serves as a premier performance space for student productions, concerts and recitals. It allows MJC to schedule major professional artists for college and community events. It offers an attractive location for community performance groups. For over eighty years, Modesto Junior College has been the community center of the performing arts. The renovation and addition of the Auditorium complex continues this proud tradition. This facility was built with both state and local Measure E bond funds.
Project Status Updates
Earlier updates have been archived. Please contact the webmaster for access.
Links of Interest
Acme Construction Company project photos
Auditorium Photo Montage 10/1/08 (7Mb) - October 8, 2008
