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After years of advocating for a performing arts center for Salisbury University – SU can finally say the University is closer than ever before to making this dream a reality!

In collaboration with the Wicomico County Public Library, SU is working toward a unique project that would make the county home to the nicest library on the Eastern Shore, and possibly the State of Maryland, as well as the development of a brand-new performing arts center in the heart of downtown. As a result of this partnership, SU realizes a long-sought-after goal of developing a performing arts center for the mutual benefit of our students and community.

In May 2024, SU received approval from the Wicomico County Council to move forward with the critical first step in the development of a performing arts center downtown!

What Has Been Proposed?

The Wicomico County Public Library will relocate its downtown branch to SU’s building on Schumaker Pond (formerly the Ward Museum) and lease the property from SU with the goal of renovating the building to accommodate their growing needs. In return, SU assumes ownership of the library’s downtown property, which will be razed to make way for the construction of a state-of-the- art performing arts center.

The Details

A performing arts center has been a central focus for SU for many years, though past budget constraints and a lack of space meant the project had been shelved – until now. The proposed facility includes educational space, scenic and costume design spaces, dressing rooms, rehearsal spaces, a convertible dance studio, and auditorium seating. This will expand SU’s cultural offerings downtown, which also include SU Art Galleries downtown and the Museum of Eastern Shore Culture.

Expected to be open for both community events and SU events, a performing arts center this size would attract acts and performances no other venue in Salisbury can currently handle.

A valuable community asset, the performing arts center would provide value to our University neighbors as well as SU students by creating opportunities to serve children in neighborhoods who may not have regular access to arts education, expanding SU’s current programming and performance offerings to reach more of the community, serving as a venue for the Maryland Folk Festival and other city- and county-sponsored events, and bringing professional productions from national and international touring acts to the Eastern Shore.

With the passage of the State of Maryland’s Fiscal 2025 budget, Salisbury University received an additional $19.2 million over the next three years to help fund the renovation of SU’s Blackwell Hall into a campus hub for student services.

Originally proposed by Governor Wes Moore in January, the funding will cover approximately one-third of the project’s
$60 million estimated cost, allowing the project to move forward without the use of SU reserve funds, which can be allocated for additional campus needs.

Prior to the budget’s passage, the University had considered reducing the scope of plans for the center, slated to become one of the first net-zero buildings in the University System of Maryland. Thanks to this funding, the facility remains on track to operate with no net carbon footprint, continuing SU’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. Features will include an underground geothermal heating and cooling system, similar to those in use at three of SU’s residence halls and a portion of Perdue Hall.

Dr. Alexander “Sandy” Pope, director of SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE) and associate professor of secondary social studies education, was recognized for his dedication to public service. His initiatives include partnerships with local schools, civic education programs and transitioning the Center for Civic Reflection to SU. Under his leadership, PACE received the 2023 Excellence in Innovation “We the People” Award and the Carnegie Foundation’s Elective Community Engagement Classification, marking SU as a model of civic responsibility.

Named for the University’s second president, Dr. Jefferson Blackwell, the current building was constructed in 1957 as the campus’ library, continuing in that capacity until the opening of the Patricia R. Guerrieri Academic Commons in 2016. Blackwell Hall then became flex space, most recently serving as the home of SU’s Academic Advising Center, dance studio and the Charles A. Wight Center for Equity, Justice and Inclusion, all three of which have moved to new locations on campus ahead of the renovation.

When it reopens, the building will have an expanded footprint to house relocated offices including the SU Counseling Center, Advising Center, Registrar’s Office, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Dean of Students Office, and more, centralizing most student support systems on campus.

It also will serve as the new home of the SU Admissions Office, with features including a campus visitors center and gathering space for tours and open houses. The new area, which tentatively will include a multistory glass atrium, is expected to provide a visual welcome for prospective students and families as part of their initial SU experience.

The new Blackwell Hall is expected to open, and serve students, starting in fall 2026.