UCCS gallery will take over FAC Modern space

A tony spot in the Plaza of the Rockies that’s been a satellite gallery for the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center will soon become a satellite gallery for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Exit FAC Modern. Enter UCCS Gallery of Contemporary Art 121.

The Modern’s final exhibition, “Lasting Legacy,” closed Nov. 13. The new gallery opens with an installation show on Feb. 5.

“I want it to bring artists — or curators — together, creating something that starts new conversations,” said Caitlin Green, interim director of the new space. “This isn’t the place to come to get all the answers about arts and culture. It’s a place to ask more questions.”

The Fine Arts Center opened the 5,000-square-foot gallery space in April 2006 with assistance (of an undisclosed sum) from building manager Nor’Wood Development Group. The Modern was originally conceived as way for the museum to maintain community presence during its 14-month expansion and create a home for more contemporary work.

While the venture been successful, it’s time to pass the mantle to another arts organization, said Fine Arts Center President and CEO Sam Gappmayer. The construction is long over, and he wants to integrate cutting edge work into the museum’s usual programming. Gappmayer won’t say how much it cost the arts center to maintain The Modern.

“Maybe, if it filled a need in a geographical area that didn’t have access to the FAC,” Gappmayer said, “but three minutes away? I don’t think I’m expanding our audience in any significant way.”

It’s a different story for the university gallery, said Green, its director.

“This is way for us to broaden audience, to create dialogue between the downtown community and the campus, to show that we’re a wonderful player in that community. It’s our commitment to the arts.”

The campus gallery has been closed since June for building renovation and will reopen in March, newly branded as the Gallery of Contemporary Art 1420 (like 121, the number is based on the address).

The new gallery will more than double the number of exhibits produced by UCCS, the budget will likely reflect that. Green hopes the new location will lead to new funding sources.

The Nor’Wood Development Group will allow UCCS to use the space rent free.

“We have a history of finding ways doing amazing thing with very little money,” Green said, laughing. “I think will be part of an ongoing policy.”