Celebrating Public Art in the Union: One Institutions Journey

Joseph HayesAssistant Director, Missouri Student Unions

University of Missouri

Questions to Ask Yourself

• How does our physical environment influence our students’ behavior?

• What behaviors do we want emulated by our students in our facilities?

• What role can art play in the environmental changes that we need to make?

Case Study: Memorial Student Union

• We know that we want to create spaces that speak to our mission…– The Missouri Student Unions serve as the community center of the

University of Missouri campus, celebrating our university’s proud history and traditions. Our facilities and programs serve to enhance the Mizzou experience by creating opportunities for learning through discussion, programming, and employment. Through our efforts, we support intellectual, cultural and social discovery.

• We want spaces that encourage individuals to spend time interacting with others. – George Kuh describes these spaces as “sociopetal” or “socially

catalytic”.

Scatter Lounge•Worn-out•Junkie•Too Transitional•Loud•Uninspiring•Need to give the space back to the students

Let’s Start with Art!LocalMissouri basedTraditional/ConservativeThematicTimelessDiversity

…Add some history

…and a fireplace

Wala!

What’s Next…

• Unions Arts Council• New Craft Studio/Art Gallery• Museum of Art & Archeology• Student Art Competition