Soon, the first cohort of 450 students will begin classes at Guayaquil’s new University of the Arts.

The post-secondary institution will open in March, once the remodelled heritage properties that will house it are ready for their new use.

The first degrees that will be available for new students are film and audiovisual arts, and intercultural literary arts. Classes will happen in the building of the Gobernación del Guayas, at the corner of Malecón and Aguirre.

The plan is completely remodel the central city blocks and build a “university corridor” downtown. Eventually, the university’s administrations buildings, library, research areas, event halls, and student residences will all be connected in the heart of Ecuador’s largest city.

Once it’s finished, the University will offer five arts-related career paths. Besides the two that launch in March, degrees in sound arts, applied visual arts and stage and movement arts will eventually be offered. 

About $250 million has been invested so far in the ambitious project. After the Gobernacion building is repurposed, the next one to be folded into the university plans will be the building currently used by the Superintendencia de Compañías (the business superintendency). That building has not yet been transferred to the universitys ownership.

Other buildings that are included in the plan for a "university corridor" are the nearby Nahim Isaías Museum, the Internal Revenue Services (SRI by its Spanish initials) building and the old historic post office.