Polk State Arts offers full selection of courses as WFA renovations continue

Posted on by Polk Newsroom

As renovations to the Winter Haven Fine Arts (WFA) building continue, Polk State College students and prospective students interested in The Arts are encouraged to enroll for the Fall 2024 Semester.

Renovations remain on schedule to be completed before the start of the Spring 2025 Semester. For the Fall 2024 Semester, The Arts programs will continue with a full selection of courses. Areas have been closed in phases to make renovations to the 65,000-square-foot facility that opened in 1978, allowing for the relocation of classes as needed.

Classes start on Aug. 12. Students can register for classes in the new Polk Portal.

“We have a stellar, experienced core of professors. The professors in our Arts programs continue to develop their own body of work and maintain their studio practices and perform locally and nationally,” said Kim Thomas Manning, Polk State Dean of Academic Affairs. “They are engaged in cutting edge research and practices in their fields. With Polk State College Arts faculty, students will continue to get a quality education as WFA renovations continue.”

Improvements are being made to the band and music rooms, practice rooms, dressing areas, gallery, and many of the classrooms. The enhancements will create a modernized experience for those interested in the Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts programs.

This includes an overhead canopy in the ceramics area, a fly system and projection for the theater, and digital signage in the lobby to keep students, staff, and the community abreast of upcoming events. Other notable improvements include a new HVAC system, a second entranceway to the lobby, new plumbing and ventilation, and the addition of a family restroom.

Bringing the project to life has been a collaborative effort that included College administrators, faculty, staff, architects, engineers, and others. Through efforts from the Florida Legislature’s Polk County Delegation, Polk State benefited greatly from $16.3 million in funding for the project during the 2021 Legislative Session. The College also received a $172,000 Capital Improvement Grant from Polk Tourism & Sports Marketing to add a sound system in the gallery that also feeds into the lobby.

“The community will have a brand-new space for events and productions,” Thomas Manning added. “The space will be modernized and tailored to the specific programs all the way down to the furniture. The improved space and exemplary faculty will ensure Polk State continues to be the go-to institution for higher education in Polk County.”