UNA President Bill Cale signed an agreement with Noiseblock Music Group Feb. 3 to lease space for the Department of Entertainment Industry for five-year increments and first option to purchase the property if it is sold. The studio-located on the corner of Tombigbee Street and Pine Street-will welcome the department and its students Aug. 1, Cale said.

The lease will commence June 1, when the entertainment industry department begins renovating the space to fit its needs, but the studio should be ready to hold classes by next August, said Dr. John Thornell, vice president for academic affairs.

“This will be an opportunity for students to embrace the entertainment industry from start to finish,” he said. “They will have access to the full range of hands-on experience. They don’t currently have access to that type of space.”

Dr. Bob Garfrerick, chair of the department, said the move was a “perfect storm” of variables coming together.

“The students need more hands-on experience, and UNA wants a downtown presence,” he said. “This studio will allow us to do some things for profit and others just to enrich the community, because that’s what universities do. I don’t know of an agreement quite like this one in the state.”

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