SPI Insights

Photo by hakkun

The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) will use $292.6 million to build a facility and renovate existing buildings for the university’s humanities program. The updated structures will consolidate UWM’s music and art education courses and provide sufficient space and resources to meet student and faculty needs. Construction is expected to begin in August 2027.

The university will start the project by demolishing the entirety of the Mosse Humanities Building and the triangular portion of the Art Lofts facility. Plans include renovating the remaining sections of the Art Lofts building and turning it into a permanent three-story home for the art department.

The updated addition will house the university’s three-dimensional art programs, providing space for ceramics, glass and neon, papermaking, printmaking, sculpture and wood shops. The university will relocate these spaces, heavy equipment and materials storage to the ground floor. The upper floors of the building will feature spaces for the department’s administrative office, art education, drawing, graphic design and painting courses.

The project will also significantly replace and improve the Art Lofts facility’s infrastructure and utilities. The university will enhance the building’s mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, plumbing and fire protection systems. Plans include extending and expanding all utilities to accommodate the campus’ future plans and projects. UW-Madison will also build lecture classrooms, instructional laboratories, studio spaces and student performance, exhibit and gallery spaces.

In addition to the Art Lofts renovations, the university will build a replacement building for the Mead Witter School of Music. The facility will include small and large rehearsal spaces, a performance room and instructional spaces and studios. The project will also feature department administration and faculty offices, departmental support spaces, a loading dock and an access road.