Des Moines Area Community College announced it will establish a school of fine arts named after Iowa native Simon Estes, the world-renowned opera singer. 

Initial plans for the Simon Estes School of Fine Arts at DMACC call for the music and theater programs to be expanded and housed under the new fine arts school, with other programs to eventually be added, the college said in a release. 

“Simon’s vision is taking our Fine Arts program to a whole new level,” DMACC President Rob Denson said in the release. “It’s a quantum leap for our program. … Our goal is to become a destination institution for students, from throughout the Midwest, who are interested in pursuing a degree or career in Fine Arts. With his help and guidance, we’re sure to make that happen.”

Estes, who has been lecturing and giving voice lessons at DMACC for three years as a visiting professor of music, said he is thrilled that DMACC has decided to put more emphasis on the fine arts. 

“People are given talents and gifts by God, but many times they don’t find out what those talents are during their lifetime,” Estes said in a statement. “One of our goals is to help students uncover their abilities and inspire them through art and music.”

Denson said the initial work to create the new Simon Estes School of Fine Arts will be on the academic side, to include:

• Adding the classes needed to provide a comprehensive two-year curriculum in music and theater.
• Purchasing new equipment and investing in more resources.
• Creating new articulation agreements with four-year institutions, allowing students to seamlessly transfer from DMACC after two years.

Denson said DMACC has even greater aspirations for the program. 

“Someday I would like to see us build a new DMACC Fine Arts Center to house these wonderful programs and showcase College and community performances,” he said.