A $4 million award from the Inasmuch Foundation in May has made it possible for Colorado College to move forward with plans to build the Cornerstone Arts Building — a 74,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art teaching and performing facility.

The Cornerstone Arts Building will encourage interdisciplinary study, collaboration and experimentation, and provide cutting-edge arts technology and flexible classroom and performance spaces.

The new building will be located on the southeast corner of Cascade Avenue and Cache La Poudre Street, directly across from Packard Hall. Renowned New Mexico architect Antoine Predock created the building’s initial schematic designs. A groundbreaking date has not yet been determined.

Oklahoma-based Inasmuch Foundation was established in 1982 by the late Edith Kinney Gaylord to support charitable and educational projects. Gaylord, an accomplished journalist, attended Colorado College as a member of the class of 1936 and served as a trustee for 24 years. Her father, E.K. Gaylord, was a member of the class of 1897 and was a long-time trustee and generous benefactor to the college.

“This grant celebrates more than a century of connections Edith and her family enjoyed with Colorado College,” said Robert J. Ross, vice president and executive director of the Inasmuch Foundation. “She loved this school, and she believed fervently in enriching lives through the pursuit of knowledge and beauty. We believe the arts building is a perfect embodiment of Edith’s vision, as well as her many happy years associated with the college.”

The Inasmuch grant is the largest grant the college has received for the project, bringing the total contributions pledged to approximately $10 million. The building is expected to cost approximately $30 million.