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 visual arts productions at elementary, middle and high schools, including plays and choral concerts.

The Center for Art 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, such as the chamber’s State of the School address on Wednesday.

NPS Superintendent Nick Migliorino said the opening of the space will have a lasting impact on NPS students.

“This is all about the kids,” Migliorino said. “This will have a generational impact.”

The Center for Arts and Learning features an 60-foot-wide, curved LED screen, which enables immersive visual arts experiences for students. This technology makes the center the most advanced public school theater in the state, Migliorino added.

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 opportunity to develop themselves outside of education,” says Kwanza. “Gaining the confidence to stand in front of an audience in a beautiful space like this goes a long way in giving students self-esteem and the opportunity 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.

“That’s often why visual arts students get out of bed,” says Kwanza. “So this space is incredibly important for them and also for (teachers). What are the options? What can I expose them to? How can I open their world to them?”

The center’s main hall is named after Brad Benson, former NPS director of visual arts. Benson said the Center for Arts and Learning is the beginning of the school district investing more in the visual arts.

“Over the years we have had other neighborhoods come and see how the center works. We are happy to provide other schools with all the information they need to help their students succeed,” Benson said.

Benson said it was an honor to have the hall named after him. He said the new space is a tribute to visual arts students.

“I’m just glad there’s a space for our kids and the community,” Benson said. “It was desperately needed and will be fully used.”

This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Ana Barboza. Avery Avery edited this story.

Andrew covers business news on the OU campus and in the Norman community. Originally from Tulsa, OK, Andrew strives to bring meaningful and lasting news for everyone to read and enjoy. He can be reached via [email protected]