Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

Architect: Architecture Incorporated; Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture

Contractor: Journey Group

Location: Brookings, South Dakota

Year: 2019

Project Description:

South Dakota State University's leaders envisioned establishing Brookings as a premier center for the arts in South Dakota and the region by expanding the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. With its location at the entrance to the SDSU campus, the center welcomes and appeals to members of the campus and greater community as an artistic bub.

The Oscar Larson PAC is a comprehensive facility providing spaces for both the instruction and performance in dance, music and theatre. Developed by Design Architect Malcolm Holzman, and acoustically engineered by David Kahn, the center proves that what an individual hears and sees during performances do correlate and that great music is made in great settings.

The center expansion fosters integrated learning and interdisciplinary collaboration between students and faculty in music, theater and dance in a dynamic environment. Large spaces for band, orchestra, choir, theater and dance provide excellent environments to practice, rehearse and present to the public.

Founders Recital Hall is an acoustically tuned music space with 225 seats for the presentation of solo and small ensemble performances in addition to recitals with the 2,848-pipe Reuter pipe organ. The Proscenium Theater is an 850 seat multi-purpose hall with a fully rigged stage house that can present academic, community, and professional touring shows.

The naming of the facility recognizes the vision and exceptional, unwavering generosity of the Pat and Dale Larson Family and the Larson Foundation.

Project Details: