Rubenstein Arts Center

The Rubenstein Arts Center is a hub for artistic production at Duke University and a new arts venue for the Triangle. Students, faculty, visiting artists, and other collaborators come together in flexible project studios to hone their skills and create new work. Public programs—including performances, film screenings and exhibitions—launch this work into the world. The Ruby is also home to the programs in Dance and Cinematic Arts and WXDU 88.7 FM, Duke’s student-run radio station.

Established with a founding gift from arts philanthropist David Rubenstein (Trinity ‘70) in 2015 and opened in 2018, the Ruby was designed with the arts in mind. The 70,000+ square foot building encompasses flexible multipurpose studios, seminar classrooms, a makerspace, the Ruby Lounge, the von der Heyden Studio Theater, a film screening theater, and more. The arts center was designed by William Rawn Associates, a Boston-based architecture firm that counts among its projects numerous arts and music facilities. It sits along Campus Drive, a short walk from the Nasher Museum of Art and the Sarah P. Duke Gardens, with glass facades through which the making of dance, film, visual art, theater and other art is visible.

Parking & Directions

Visitor parking is available for $2/hour in pay-by-space lots in several locations near the Rubenstein Arts Center, including:

The Campus Drive lot, located at the corner of Campus Drive and Anderson Street, is directly across the street. Visitors may park in this lot on weekends (after 5pm Friday through Sunday evening) with a valid Duke parking permit or via the PayByPhone app or by calling 866-234-7275 (location #3121). More information about PayByPhone.
The Nasher Museum of Art, located at 2001 Campus Drive, has a pay-by-space lot with both kiosks and PayByPhone. More information.
Sarah P Duke Gardens, located at 420 Anderson Street, has a pay-by-space lot with both kiosks and PayByPhone. More information.
There is also limited free street parking along Alexander Avenue and Oregon Street (less than a five-minute walk from the arts center).

If you are coming from elsewhere on Duke’s campus during the day, we recommend that you take Duke Transit’s free and frequent East-West bus service, which stops just a few steps from the building.

Directions By Bus

The easiest way to reach the Rubenstein Arts Center from elsewhere on campus is to take a free Duke Transit shuttle bus along Campus Drive. The main East-West bus (C1) runs seven days a week during the academic year, with service throughout the day and well into the night. Other routes offer service from Smith Warehouse or Central Campus, but run only on weekdays.

C1: East-West (full schedule)
Runs 7 days/week, early morning until past midnight
CSW: Smith Warehouse (full schedule)
Runs weekdays only, morning to early evening
C2: East-Central-West (weekdays only)
C3: East-Science (weekdays only)
C4: Central-West (weekday mornings only)

Read more about Duke’s bus service (including holiday and summer schedules).

Directions By Car

The Ruby does not have a dedicated parking lot, so please plan ahead, especially if you are visiting during business hours. See Parking for details.

From Raleigh/East via Interstate 40 West

Take exit 279B to N.C. State Route 147 North, Durham Freeway. Continue on Durham Freeway and take Exit 14, Swift Avenue. Turn LEFT onto Swift Avenue. Continue for about one quarter mile to Campus Drive. Turn RIGHT onto Campus Drive. The arts center is located on your right between Oregon and Anderson Streets.

From Chapel Hill/South via Chapel Hill Boulevard, US. 15-501 North

In Durham, take U.S. 15-501 North, marked Duke University/Medical Center (Do not take 15-501 Business). Continue on 15-501 and take Exit 107, marked N.C. State Route 751/Duke University West Campus. Turn RIGHT onto N.C. 751, and continue for about one mile. At the third traffic light, Duke University Road, turn LEFT. Continue on Duke University Road for about 8/10th of a mile, turn LEFT on Anderson Street. The arts center is on your right at the intersection of Anderson Street and Campus Drive.

From Virginia/North via Interstate 85 South

In Durham, take Exit 174A for US 15-501 South Bypass – Duke University/Chapel Hill. Continue on U.S. 15-501 and take Exit 107, marked N.C. State Route 751/Duke University West Campus. Turn LEFT onto N.C. 751 and continue for about 1 mile. At the fourth traffic light, Duke University Road, turn LEFT. Continue on Duke University Road for about 8/10th of a mile, turn LEFT on Anderson Street. The arts center is on your right at the intersection of Anderson Street and Campus Drive.

From the Triad/West via Interstate 85 North

In Durham, take Exit 172, N.C. State Route 147, Durham Freeway. Continue on Durham Freeway and take Exit 14, Swift Avenue. Turn RIGHT onto Swift Avenue. Continue for about one quarter mile to Campus Drive. Turn RIGHT onto Campus Drive. The arts center is located on your right between Oregon and Anderson Streets.