The center is being named for Panama City resident Barbara Nelson, whose family also donated $7 million to the facility, reports the Panama City News Herald.
Panama City does not have an arts auditorium, and the fine arts building will be used by both residents and students.
The center will be next to the high school's new STEM building, which is nearing completion.
The facility will have abundant natural light like most art galleries. The outside of the building will resemble what the former Bay High School used to look like, reports MyPanhandle.Com.
Construction of the fine arts facility is expected to take about 18 months.
