KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 10, 2026 – On Monday, Sept. 14, University of Rhode Island leaders, students, elected officials and community members will celebrate the University’s new Fine Arts Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, ringing in the next phase of URI’s artistic and creative endeavors.
The event will take place outside the Robert E. Will Theatre in the center’s main lobby at 105 Upper College Road, Kingston, beginning at 11 a.m.
Funded through state capital and University funds as well as a 2021 voter-approved bond issue, the $99 million project included renovation of the University’s 58-year-old Fine Arts Center as well as a new 71,000-square-foot, three-story academic building that features a theater lobby and art gallery on the first floor, as well as areas for digital art and media, recording studios, and classrooms. The new building is designed to bring artists together and give them physical space to inspire creativity, and serve as an active community of artists, designers, composers, performers and scholars.
The celebration will include remarks from URI President Marc Parlange, URI Board of Trustees members, Rhode Island House and Senate lawmakers, and URI faculty, staff and student performers. Along with an open house and guided tours offered to attendees, the ceremony will include a formal dedication of a choral room within the Fine Arts Center named in honor of the late Rhode Island Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio.
WHO: URI President Marc Parlange, URI Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Wolfe, URI College of Arts and Sciences Dean Pamela Swett, URI Board of Trustees members, URI Art and Art History Department Chair Ben Anderson, URI Theatre Department Chair Rachel Walshe, Senate President Valarie Lawson, Charles Ruggerio, son of the late Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, students Sharday Johnson and Kacie Doran, and student performers.
WHAT: Ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovated URI Fine Arts Center.
WHEN: Monday, Sept. 14, 11 a.m. Ribbon cutting, and open house and guided tours to follow the speaking program.
WHERE: Main lobby outside of the Robert E. Will Theatre in the Fine Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston.
FOR MEDIA COVERAGE: Please contact James Bessette, URI Public Information Specialist, at 401-874-3520 (office), 401-829-0286 (cell for calling/texting), james.bessette@iri.edu; Dawn Bergantino, URI Assistant Director of Communications, 401-874-4147, dawn_bergantino@uri.edu. Parking is available in Lot 6 behind the Fine Arts Center near Bills Road.