Featured Project

The Arthur Zankel Music Center, named in honor of longtime Skidmore trustee and parent, Arthur Zankel, will welcome every visitor to Skidmore, serving as a gateway to the arch of the arts quadrangle at the entrance to campus. Daring in its appearance, efficient in its use of space, the Zankel Music Center will create a true arts quad with its distinguished neighbors - the Marjorie Saisselin Art Building, the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, and the original Filene Music Building.

Before a shovel went into the ground, the building’s architect, Ewing Cole of Cleveland, Ohio, had won an “unbuilt design” award for the structure.

This $40 million facility will be a state of the art music and performing arts center. The building includes a recital hall attached by a two-story atrium to a three-story academic wing of classrooms, faculty studios and practice rooms. A smaller, two-story recital hall/classroom is at the building’s north end. The acoustic panels on the ceiling will be able to be “tuned” by computer depending on what type of performance is being presented in the hall.

Geothermal wells are drilled 400 feet into the earth. Some 40 of these wells are used in a heat transfer system that helps heat the building in winter and cool the building in the summer.

With a scheduled completion date set for Fall of 09, Skidmore College is preparing to usher in a new era in the College’s rich music tradition.