For more than 110 years, Convocation Hall (also commonly known as Old Arts) has been one of the University of Alberta’s defining spaces for academic and artistic excellence. Since opening in 1915, the hall has hosted milestones that shape the university experience: first-year lectures, community gatherings and final performances.
The hall has been central to music on campus, serving as the primary stage for the Department of Music's world-class undergraduate and graduate programs for more than eight decades. The hall is an essential space where our students perform, work, and ultimately grow into confident and creative professionals.
Now, thanks to the vision and generosity of our community, the university is undertaking a multi-million dollar renewal to preserve and revitalize this cherished space for generations to come. This investment is more than a restoration; it’s an investment in the future of music education and creativity at our university and in our province.
Honouring an iconic space
Located in the Arts Building, the hall is one of the university’s most iconic spaces, known for its elegant Beaux Arts architecture and its prominent place on North Campus. The renewal project has been carefully designed to respect and preserve that historic character.
While key elements of the hall’s design and beauty will remain intact, the renovation will bring the facility up to modern standards. The goal is to retain the hall’s historic charm while ensuring it continues to serve a contemporary university community.
This careful balance reflects the significance of the space. For many members of the university community — particularly students, faculty and alumni from the Faculty of Arts — the hall holds special memories. It has hosted milestone academic moments, important conversations and countless performances that have shaped campus life.
As a result, the renewal is being undertaken with great care to honour the building’s storied history while preparing it for the future.
Improving accessibility and capacity
At the core of the renewal is ensuring that the hall is fully accessible to all members of the university community.
The renewal will improve accessibility throughout the building, including enhanced access to the upper balcony. These changes will allow students, families, faculty, staff and guests with mobility needs to fully participate in ceremonies, performances and other events held in the space.
Increasing seating capacity and upgrading the audience experience are also key priorities. Improvements will help ensure that events hosted in the hall remain welcoming, comfortable and engaging for everyone who attends.
These upgrades align with commitments from Igniting Purpose: The Student Experience Action Plan, which aims to increase accessibility and inclusivity across all our campuses. As outlined in Igniting Purpose, it is vitally important that students feel like they belong, and that every student has a positive experience during their time at the U of A.
A space for the next generation
Convocation Hall has long been a place where ideas are shared, creativity is celebrated, and community comes together. The renewal project represents an opportunity to build on that legacy.
The renewal reflects a simple but powerful goal: to honour the past, serve the present and create a space that belongs to everyone.
Work is expected to start later in 2026. When the project is complete, the hall will continue to welcome new generations of students and visitors, just as it has since its construction in 1915, while offering an experience that reflects the needs and values of today’s university community.
Robert Wood
Dean, Faculty of Arts
Kelly Spencer
Associate vice-president (Development and Alumni Relations)