Mariajose Garza/THE RIDER
UTRGV is preparing to start construction on the long-awaited Visual Arts Complex in Brownsville, with work scheduled to begin in October after the university finalizes the selection of a contractor.
Patrick Gonzales, vice president for Marketing and Communications, said bids are being reviewed and the award is expected by the end of this month. Once the process is complete, the contractor can mobilize the site and begin renovations.
The project, which has a total investment of more than $60 million including property purchase and renovations, is projected to open in Fall 2026. Gonzales explained that while some may have perceived delays, the timeline reflects the process of approvals. In February, the UT System Board of Regents approved $39 million for repairs and renovations to the former Longoria Elementary School property.
Jeff Ward, dean of College of Fine Arts, called the complex a “game changer” for students and the community. He said the new facility will finally give art programs a purpose-built space with updated equipment and room for growth.
The renovated site will include studios for painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography and jewelry making. Plans also include two computer labs for graphic design, a sculpture garden, faculty and graduate student offices, and a large gallery.
Faculty said the project will address long-standing problems with the leased Rusteberg Hall in Texas Southmost College, where classes often overlap in spaces not designed for them.
Ed Pogue, a professor in the School of Art & Design, said the improvements will allow courses to be taught in proper studios and eliminate challenges like flooding and inadequate ventilation.
He also pointed to student demand, noting that enrollment in the School of Art and Design has increased by about 25% annually for the past six years.
Gonzales said beyond its academic impact, the project reflects the university’s broader growth. He described the complex as a recruitment tool that will showcase the university’s commitment to both affordability and opportunities.
“We’re going to have a state-of-the-art visual arts complex in our Brownsville campus that is going to be unlike what any other school in our proximity has,” Gonzales said.
The Visual Arts Complex is one of several major arts-related investments in Brownsville, alongside plans for a $50–60 million renovation of the Majestic Theatre downtown. University officials said both projects highlight UTRGV’s commitment to expanding cultural and educational opportunities for students and the community.
