Capital Program to Fund Arts Complex at ISU

Illinois State University is getting more than $54 million to build a new fine arts complex.

Gov. Pat Quinn was on the Normal campus Thursday morning to announce the state funding. He says it will create 775 construction jobs.

The money comes from a state capital program. The first phase will be $7.5 million for designing and planning the new complex.

The project includes renovating three buildings and constructing new space for instruction and performance.

Illinois State's College of Fine Arts has more than 1,100 students, 160 faculty members and offers 40 fields of study, including art, music, theater and dance.