Hancock Breaks Ground on New Fine Arts Complex

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 -- Allan Hancock College officially broke ground on its new Fine Arts Complex on Sept. 30 at the Santa Maria campus.

The college kicked off construction of the $48 million facility with a special ceremony that included Hancock administrators, members of the college’s Board of Trustees and representatives for the companies and community organizations who helped make the project possible. The ceremony was also broadcast live online for members of the public.

“This facility is going to be a tremendous asset to our college and community. We are going to be able to bring all of our media arts and all of our fine arts into one space and create a wonderful synergy for our students in those programs,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “This is going to be one of the largest projects we’ve ever undertaken at Hancock.”

The Fine Arts Complex will become a hub of creativity and learning at Hancock’s Santa Maria campus. The two-story, 88,000 square-foot facility will include a 400-seat concert and recital venue and house the college’s dance, drama, film, graphics, music, photography and multimedia arts and communications programs.

“Over half the students at AHC come through the fine arts department and we are spread apart across the campus in six different buildings,” said Hancock Professor of Art and Design and Fine Arts Department Chair John Hood. “To be able to have everyone under one beautiful building will be a dream come true. It will allow our students and faculty to collaborate and reach out even more into the community.” 

Guests in attendance at the ceremony also included AHC Board of Trustees President Larry Lahr, Trustees Jeffery Hall, Dan Hilker and Greg Pensa, Student Trustee Ana Rosas Pacheco, AHC Fine Arts Professor Emeritus Steve Lewis, Measure I Citizens’ Oversight Committee Chair Tracy Beard, Marsha Perry Taras and Jim Kordakis of Roebbelen Construction Management Services, Grant Crandall of AMG and Associates, Inc. and Leigh Anne Jones of the DLR Group.

Funding for the Fine Arts Complex was provided by the voter-approved Bond Measure I, the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, and generous support from the estate of former Hancock faculty member Patricia Boyd. Construction is expected to be completed by fall of 2022.

“A total of $23 million in Measure I bond funds are being applied to this project. This is a good use of taxpayer funds,” said Beard. “Over 90 percent of Hancock students are local, and this facility will host events, arts and cultural events that will be open to the public for decades to come. Hancock has long been a hub for art education and training and this facility will ensure a vibrant economy in Santa Barbara County.”

For more information about AHC’s Fine Arts Complex, visit bit.ly/AHCFineArts. A video of the groundbreaking ceremony is available on the college’s YouTube page.

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Photo Caption: Allan Hancock College breaks ground on the college’s new Fine Arts Complex.