The Southern Utah Museum of Art: Big Art Center with Canyon-Like Roof

The Southern Utah Museum of Art or SUMA is located in Southern Utah as a part of Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts campus. This art center includes the performing and visual arts, arts education, and also live theatre. The master plan of Southern Utah Museum of Art planned that it will connect the Southern Utah University Campus with the downtown Cedar City.

Facilities

This museum becomes an art center from around the world. It also a home for the special collection of Utah artist’s work named Jim Jones. Regularly, Southern Utah Museum of Art exhibits the work of Southern Utah University’s Art and Design faculty and students.

Inspiration

The design of this art center is inspired by the sandstone formations which is very dramatic at Mt. Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. The main architectural design can be seen in its canyon-like roof that covers the whole building, including the additional 6000 square feet space.

Atmosphere

120 foot cantilevered roof, the exterior space can be covered well and also protecting the glass facade from glare and direct solar gain. It also created a leisure atmosphere and provides a shade for protecting the art inside the building. This kind of design also allows the awesome views can be seen clearly.

Roof

The roof is designed to protect the exterior space from the environment around the site. It is also made to collect the stormwater and snowmelt. So this roof is not only making the building looks awesome but also has its own function for it.

Program

This museum has a lot of programs, including the student-centered experiential learning environment. The learning environment will focus on collecting, preserving, and also exhibiting the Colorado Plateau and southern Utah visual arts.

Faculty and the students in the Art and Design Department with the College of Performing and Visual Arts MFA program will use this museum to be a learning place about museum management. They can also practice more for the collection and preservation in arts.

Function

Southern Utah Museum of Art also features exterior spaces, parks, and sculpture gardens for public use and live performance around the building site. The park setting is designed to accommodate the intimate activities for more than 300 people in live performances.

Via brooksscarpa