The state Board of Regents gave the green light to the University of Iowa’s request to convert the old Art Building into an innovation center.

The old Art Building will be converted into an innovation center where students and faculty can learn through experiments. 

The UI will restore and modernize the 53,000 square-foot building, while honoring its historic identity. New furniture and equipment will also be purchased. 

In November 2017, the UI introduced Bruce Mau of Massive Change Network to spearhead plans for the project.

“The building was significantly impacted in 2008 with the flooding,” Senior Vice President for Finance and Operations Rod Lehnertz said. 

The federal government, however, recognized it as worth keeping, he said. 

“We are greatly excited about this project,” he said. “It [advances] innovation, and [encourages] creation by students faculty, and staff. 

The UI has been able to raise about $25 million through private donations.