About IU Auditorium

In 1938, during the waning years of the Great Depression and a time when most universities had cut funding for Arts programs, construction began on IU Auditorium. The Indiana University President, Herman B Wells, used this time to build the world’s top music school, the Lilly Library, the Fine Arts building, and, of course, IU Auditorium. The Auditorium was the first building completely planned and constructed during President Wells’ tenure. It was constructed out of locally quarried Indiana Limestone.

Built as a Federal Works Agency Project under the Roosevelt Presidency and opened on March 22, 1941, Indiana University Auditorium—located in the heart of Indiana University’s Bloomington campus—is also home to Thomas Hart Benton’s “Century of Progress” murals, the priceless Dailey Family Memorial Collection of Hoosier Art, two Robert Laurent sculptures, and the regal Indiana University Auditorium Organ.

Since opening its doors in 1941, IU Auditorium has served as a university and community gathering place, hosting a diverse array of world-class artists, entertainers, musicians and lecturers in our 3,200-seat theatre. The Auditorium has been host for the last 60 years to the world’s top performers, from the Metropolitan Opera and Les Miserables to Jerry Seinfeld and Mikhail Gorbachev. Closed for a $13 million renovation and restoration in 1997, the Auditorium reopened in 1999.

As the leading performing arts organization in South Central Indiana in terms of quality, leadership, innovation, and overall guest satisfaction, IU Auditorium exists to create opportunities for Indiana University students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the local community to experience and interact with the performing arts.

In addition to the wide variety of arts and entertainment events, the Auditorium continues to serve as the community’s gathering place, hosting a variety of university ceremonies, orientation programs, trade shows, weddings, and special events. With focus on student exposure and interaction with the arts, the Auditorium is insuring its vital role in the greater university for years to come. The Auditorium also serves as the public trust administrator, caretaker, and conservator of the Indiana University Auditorium facility and its art collection.

At IU Auditorium we value our role as a member of the university community, great guest service, quality, our history and tradition, innovation, and diversity.