The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation has awarded Interlochen Center for the Arts $4 million for the construction of a new facility to house students, faculty and visiting artists. 

Interlochen Trey Devey made the announcement, noting, "This is the largest non-estate gift ever received in the history of the institution, and the new facility is pivotal to our future. Through the residence hall, we'll be able to reach our enrollment goals and accommodate more deserving, talented young artists at Interlochen, while achieving a new competitive edge in recruiting outstanding faculty for Camp. Through the adjoining visiting artist suites, we'll be able to attract world-renowned visiting artists to our campus year-round."

The $8.5 million facility will be on the site of the old recording services building, which has not been in use since 1992. The new building will have two wings: One will serve as living quarters for 60 students during the Academy school year, and will be convertible to lakeside apartment spaces for Interlochen's Arts Camp faculty in the summer. The other wing will serve as temporary quarters for visiting artists and performers throughout the year. The Interlochen Board of Trustees voted unanimously to name this signature facility the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow House.

The Dow family's involvement in Interlochen dates back to the 1930's.

Devey noted that Interlochen management is "working hard to proceed with this project at the same time as the dance building renovation to minimize cost and limit the period of construction in that part of campus."