Since opening a year ago, Irvine Valley College’s Arts Village has improved how students learn and create in the arts. The $61 million complex includes three new buildings with dedicated spaces for music, dance, theater and visual arts.

“As we celebrate Irvine Valley College’s 40-year legacy, the future has never looked brighter,” IVC President John Hernandez says. “The Arts Village has already transformed the student experience, providing a creative space that nurtures artistic expression and collaboration.”

Located on the southwest side of campus, the 63,000-square-foot village includes a Music & Dance Center, a Visual Arts building and a circular Fine Arts & Gallery building with a 158-seat auditorium. Students now have access to more classrooms, better equipment and more room to practice.

The school’s arts technical director, Mark Petersen, muses about what those students faced before: “The music department was working out of two rooms in one building – the jazz ensemble, orchestra, wind band and guitar ensemble all shared a room. The second room was for music harmony, theory, piano and composition classes. It was very crowded.”

Now the programs have their own spaces, with much higher ceilings. And all with vastly improved sound systems. Students went from five practice rooms to 18 in the new building.

Next door, construction has begun on the Arts Promenade & Coffee Structure, which will add outdoor areas for drawing, painting, sculpting, meditation and collaborative work. It is expected to be completed by August.

More projects are on the way. On April 30, IVC will break ground on two major additions: a new Student Services Building and a Student Union. The facilities will provide updated spaces for support programs, clubs and campus events.

“We continue our commitment to building a campus that empowers students, supports their success and enhances our vibrant community for generations to come,” Hernandez says.