Story By: Maryam Hawari, Managing Editor
Photo By: Maryam Hawari
Cypress College’s Measure J Bond’s renovations are now on campus, opening the new Visual and Performing Arts Center to students.
“It was built to be compliant, and to adjust things for students,” VAPA Dean Kellori Dower said. “The gang’s all here, and we’re excited that everyone is able to be in one space.”
One of these building amenities includes the addition of ADA requirements, such an all gendered restroom on the first floor and new accessibility for students with wheelchairs. “Those little spaces are why doors are a little bit wider so that wheelchairs can access through,” Dower said.
Dower also said that students usually see the academic quality from real estate. Cypress’ VAPA students are moving into new available spaces that have technologically updated to reflect that.
“We had a really old building and really old technology,” she said. The building’s focus of art and photography galleries focus primarily on student artistry, publicly displaying art pieces on the second floor. Returning student Kaylee Rule noted that the galleries allowed potential exposure for Cypress’ artists.
“I would lose my mind, in a good way,” Rule said. “I never had my artwork displayed so if that ever were to happen I would be so excited.”
Media Arts Design has changed since the addition of new rooms in both the second and third floor. Graphic design, Film and lab utilize the building’s new 3D printer and fully equipped computers. Due to the help of donors, a Steinway piano also stands in the recital hall room.
Cypress Chronicle’s addition to the VAPA building also included the newsroom’s redesign. Modeled with the help of Cypress Journalism Professor Michael Coronado. On Oct. 27, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held in celebration of the building’s dedicated donors, President Scott Thayer, architects and special guests.
