University of Wisconsin - Parkside

New Standard for Arts in SE Wisconsin

The Rita Tallent Picken Regional Center for Arts and Humanities sets new standards for arts education and performance in southeastern Wisconsin. The 163,000 SF facility transforms the former Communication Arts Building into a state-of-the-art education and performance space while positioning the University of Wisconsin-Parkside as a regional cultural center.

Located on the southwest corner of campus, “The Rita” incorporates 91,000 SF of renovated space and 72,000 SF of new construction. Since its opening in 1968, the University of Wisconsin-Parkside has established a strong reputation for innovative programming and arts curriculum. Its core complex of four interconnected buildings reflects 1970s campus planning and takes advantage of the views to Parkside’s incredible prairies and woodlands. The former Communication Arts Building has held up well over the years, however, it lacked the necessary infrastructure to accommodate its growing arts and humanities departments.

The University sought to give each academic department a distinct identity, encourage multidisciplinary collaboration within shared spaces, and promote diverse arts programming.