Grant Center for the Expressive Arts
Pre-K/Elementary School
The design of the new Grant Center for the Expressive Arts is arts-infused; providing embedded settings for creative inquiry, making and expression throughout the building and site. The blending of core subjects and arts disciplines is fully integrated in the design of the new Grant; with core settings called Learning Studios, which are adjacent to a shared Makerspace to form a Learning Neighborhood.
The overall site design for Grant Center for the Expressive Arts provides opportunities for Arts-Infused Learning, creative play and inspirational nature-oriented outdoor education. Green spaces, nature pathways, and gardening areas are provided as a way for students to actively and physically engage with the natural environment. By integrating moments for artistic engagement, performance and exploration, the site taps into the concept of "multiple intelligences" and encourages a diverse education for students.
Parent involvement and community support are hallmarks of Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, so openness to the community is essential. The entire site will be a community park after hours. Each of the Art Zones can be operated individually, or the entire school can be open, to truly serve as a community arts center as well as a school.
Client: Tacoma School District
Location: Tacoma, WA
Size: 54,816 s.f.
Benjamin Fields, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Ashlie Smith