Occupied in 1991, The Center for Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) was the most expensive building on the UWF campus at $10,326,268. The academic programs and faculty offices for these disciplines were in the Humanities Building (36) and cramped for space, particularly for performance space. The building program, in three parts, reflected the three academic programs: art, music, and theatre.

The architects chosen for the monumental project was Barrett, Daffin, and Carlan of Pensacola, and world renown design consultants Mitchell/Giurgola Architects of New York, New York. The partner in charge for Mitchell/Giurgola was Steven M. Goldberg.

Today the CFPA boasts an "All-Steinway School." UWF is now one of only two schools in the state of Florida that have obtained this designation and joins the ranks of esteemed music programs around the country such as The Juilliard School, Yale University School of Music and Oberlin College Conservatory.

Constructed on the highest point of the UWF campus (120 feet above sea level), students and patrons of the arts enjoy state of the art performance and visual art spaces as well as a panoramic view of Escambia Bay.

The Next Larger Picture by John E. Jarvis, Jr. Published by the University of West Florida Foundation, Inc., 2008.