Facade of Austin Arts Center, August 2023. Photo credit: Barbara Sternal

The Austin Arts Center houses many of Trinity's performance-based departments and spaces, namely the Music Department, the Theater and Dance departments, Goodwin Theater, Garmany Hall (a blackbox theater), and the Widener Gallery (a space for rotating exhibits and art performances). The Center also houses recording studios, classrooms, studio arts rooms, music labs, and a costume shop. It is located adjacent to the College Library and the 1997 Master Plans show the buildings conjoined by a sky bridge.

Built in 1964, Austin Arts Center was designed by architects O'Connor and Kilham of New York. The center was named in honor of A. Everett (Chick) Austin, Jr. (1900-1957), the founder of Trinity's Fine Arts Department and the director of the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford from 1927 until 1945. In 1930, Trinity awarded Austin an honorary Master of Arts degree. 35 years later, President Albert C. Jacobs felt Austin's contributions to art, music, and drama in the Hartford area deserved recognition.

Arts Venues at Trinity

Trinity College Alumni Magazine, May 1965.

Trinity College Alumni Magazine, November 1964.

Trinity College Bulletin, 1964-1965.