About the Modlin Center

Modlin Center for the Arts, at the University of Richmond, opened in 1996 and features state-of-the-art performance venues, galleries, studios, and classrooms. The 165,000-square-foot facility is home to the departments of art and art history, music, and theatre and dance. 

Each season, Modlin Arts Presents shares transformational experiences with audiences, showcasing a breadth of diverse multi-disciplinary performing arts from around the globe. Modlin also hosts mainstage productions presented by the Department of Theatre and Dance and music performances by the Department of Music's annual free concert series. Many of the events presented at Modlin foster relational experiences between artists and audiences, and feature academic components designed specifically for University of Richmond students. These activities, which are free and open to the public, include master classes, artist talks and demonstrations, as well as pre-concert and exhibition lectures. 

The Modlin Center is also home to the Joel and Lila Harnett Museum of Art, one of the University of Richmond Museums. The museums regularly present exhibitions (of art, artifacts, and natural history specimens), lectures, openings, gallery talks, workshops, concerts, symposia, and other programs. Admission to all museums is free and open to the public. 

The University of Richmond

The University of Richmond is recognized as one of America's premier private liberal arts universities, offering distinctive synergies between its schools of arts and sciences, business, law, and leadership studies.

Mailing Address
Modlin Center for the Arts
453 Westhampton Way, T107-A
University of Richmond, VA 23173
General Inquiries
(804) 287-6632
Modlin Box Office
(804) 289-8980
Purpose, Vision & Values

Purpose:

Modlin Center for the Arts is the University of Richmond's key cultural resource and gateway of access, engagement, and interaction between our campus community and the communities of the Richmond region.

Vision:

To be the national model of a visual and performing arts center at a liberal arts university.

The mission of the Modlin Center is transformation; the arts are the vehicle by which Modlin deepens impact, reveals meaning, and commits to transformative experiences.

Values:

Quality of experience
We believe in enriching lives through meaningful engagement and transformative experiences.

Excellence of service
In every interaction, we bring the highest professional standard to our work.

Collaboration
We believe collaboration is key to unlocking the potential of the arts to transform lives across our campus and community.

Connection
We believe that creativity and art are intrinsic to the human experience and we approach our work with a spirit of inclusion, access, kindness, and compassion.

Inquiry and Exploration
We provide creative space and capacity to nurture risk-taking, curiosity and discovery.

Integrity
In fulfilling the mission of Modlin, our personal and professional integrity is paramount in all we do.

Staff Listing

Administration

Paul Brohan
Executive Director
Office: (804) 287-6632

Shannon Hooker
Assistant Director
Office: (804) 287-6599

Claire Bjorkholm
Administrative Specialist
Office: (804) 287-6632

Marketing and Ticket Sales

Erika Stanley
Marketing and Strategic Communications Manager
Office: (804) 287-6893
Email

Samantha Salters
Box Office Manager
Box Office: (804) 289-8980
Office: (804) 287-6023
Email

Operations and Audience Services

Christopher O'Neil
Operations Manager
Office: (804) 287-6601
Email

Shawanna Hall
Front of House Coordinator

Production and Artist Services

Sean Farrell
Production Manager
Office: (804) 287-6898
Email

Corey Brown
Assistant Production Manager
Office: (804) 287-6015

Bri Conley
Assistant Production Manager
Office: (804) 287-6839

Jo Bachman
Artist Services and Contracts Manager
Office: (804) 287-6607
Email 

Ray Breakall
Piano Specialist
Office: (804) 287-6342

History

In 1992, the University began working on a plan for an expanded arts center to improve the performance, rehearsal and exhibition venues, classrooms, and studios for the visual and performing arts, and to provide room for continued growth. The plan was for the new building to connect to the existing Modlin Fine Arts building with an archway above Keller Road similar to the archway in North Court. The existing Emily Gardner Room and the Keller Gymnasium would be a converted for use by the art and art history department. The area occupied by Crenshaw pool would become part of a new theater complex that would house a new theater and dance venue and related shop space. Camp Theater would become a concert hall.

Booker Hall renovations were complete and the building was ready for occupancy by the fall of 1995. A new black box theater, the Cousins Studio Theatre, replaced the Q-Hut as a place to hold theater classes and stage productions. 

In 2017, renovations were completed on Alice Jepson Theatre that included the installation of a state-of-the-art sound system and an addition with dance studio, acting studio, and additional green room space.

Renovations on the Booker Hall of Music were completed in 2018, to include improvements to HVAC systems; greater ADA compliance; an expanded music library; additional classroom and lab space; and upgrades to sound, lights, and acoustics within Camp Concert Hall. 

When the project was completed, the former single-building complex was transformed into 165,000 square feet of state-of-the-art performance venues, galleries, studios, and classrooms for the arts. The new Modlin Center for the Arts is home to the ModlinArts Performing Arts Series and administrative offices, the departments of Art and Art History, Music, Theatre and Dance, and the Parsons Music Library. 

Twenty-eight years later, the Modlin Center for the Arts, led by Executive Director Paul Brohan, has become a leading performing arts center in the region.  Modlin Arts Presents is now sharing its 2023-2024 season. 

 

Fast Facts

Dedication
October 4, 1996

Architects
Marcellus, Wright, Cox and Smith (Edward A. Smith)

Acousticians
Jaffe, Holden, Scarborough

Size
165,000 total square feet
50,708 Booker Hall
43,552 Visual Arts Building (formerly part of Keller Hall)
70,740 Modlin Center (1996 construction)

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