Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum Signals New Era for UT Dallas Arts

Supported by a $32 million gift from the O’Donnell Foundation, The University of Texas at Dallas recently broke ground on the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, a visionary arts complex that will be a destination for both Comets and the broader community. 

Located on the southeastern edge of campus, the planned complex consists of three main buildings housing a museum anchored by the Crow Collection of Asian Art — gifted to UT Dallas by the Crow family in 2019 — a 600-seat performing arts center and an additional museum dedicated to traditional art of the Americas, as well as a 1,100-car parking structure. 

The 68,000-square-foot first phase, slated to open in fall 2024, will contain the Crow Museum, the Carolyn Brown Photography Archive, additional galleries for future acquisitions, an object study room, a conservation laboratory, seminar rooms and the Brettell Reading Room, a contemplative study space funded by $500,000 in contributions from friends of the late Dr. Rick Brettell, who first conceived the idea of an Athenaeum on UT Dallas’ campus. 

“As an expression of human intellect and creativity, the arts play an important role at UT Dallas by enhancing the University’s focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and management. But to ensure that UT Dallas develops versatile individuals, we must integrate the arts fully into our vision and the experience of our students,” said UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson, the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership. “Thanks to the transformative gift from the O’Donnell Foundation, as well as lead gifts from the Crow family and other generous Dallas families, we can now realize this vision for the Athenaeum, creating vibrant spaces commensurate with our aspirations for UT Dallas and becoming a hub for the arts in North Texas.” 

The O’Donnell Foundation gift is the single largest monetary gift from one of UT Dallas’ most significant donors. Of the $32 million gifted by the foundation, $22 million will support the construction of the Crow Museum and performance hall, with an additional $10 million creating a programming endowment for the Athenaeum. 

“Peter and Edith O’Donnell were crucial to the development of UT Dallas, almost from the beginning,” said William T. Solomon, president and CEO of the O’Donnell Foundation. “They saw the University as having the potential to blend their passion for education, Peter’s interest in science and engineering and Edith’s love of the arts. All of this finds unique expression in the role envisioned for the Athenaeum, which makes it especially appropriate that the complex will bear the O’Donnell name.” 

The construction of the O’Donnell Athenaeum project is a core priority for New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas. To date, the University has raised $73.9 million toward the project, including $10.95 million from Mrs. Margaret McDermott, $5 million from Mrs. Bea Wallace and $25.45 million from the Crow family. 

When completed, the O’Donnell Athenaeum will be the apex of a period of significant growth for the arts at UT Dallas, which began in 2014 with the creation of the Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History. As a home for world-renowned art collections and a much-needed performance space on campus, the O’Donnell Athenaeum will create a bridge between UT Dallas and external communities, a place to welcome schoolchildren, families and visitors from around the world. 

“Not only will students, faculty and staff have a wonderful new addition to campus where they can find inspiration and collaborate, but the Athenaeum can reach out into the community, increasing the University’s impact well beyond its campus boundaries,” said UT System Regent Christina Melton Crain. “UT Dallas will become a destination for art enthusiasts from across the globe bringing heightened awareness of UT Dallas’ excellence.” 

Designed by Morphosis Architects, the O’Donnell Athenaeum’s three cultural buildings will have second floors larger than their ground floors, creating covered exterior spaces that can be used for studying, daytime and nighttime events, performances, art display and an enriched daily campus life. These spaces, alongside the complex’s museums, collection storage rooms, rehearsal studios and performance hall offer limitless opportunities for interdisciplinary academic work and expanded cultural programming at UT Dallas. 

“This new space allows us to grow our collection and programs and, as part of a top-tier research university, expand our research and conservation initiatives, all while fulfilling our mission of being a museum of relevance and belonging for UT Dallas students and faculty, and the larger North Texas community,” said Amy Hofland, senior director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art at UT Dallas. 

To support the Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr. Athenaeum, visit giving.utdallas.edu/athenaeum.