Current Projects

Baltimore School for the Arts Renovation and Expansion Project

Since opening its doors in 1980, the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) has created opportunities for students who aspire to a career in the arts. After 25 years of accomplishments and recognition, the BSA is at a critical time in its development. We have an extraordinary, once in a lifetime opportunity to further the success and reach of the School by expanding our programs and addressing our facility and infrastructure problems.

The BSA plans to renovate the newly acquired 704 Cathedral Street, an historic brownstone, ideally located right next door to our present facility. We plan to renovate and expand our current facility at 712 Cathedral Street. The architect for the project, Cho Benn Holback + Associates (www.cbhassociates.com) worked closely with teachers and administrators to develop a comprehensive design that will meet our current and future needs. Once completed, the buildings will connect, giving the School an additional 29,000 in gross square feet. This project is supported strongly by the Baltimore City Council, the Mount Vernon Cultural District, the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association and the Baltimore community at large. This expansion is essential in order to accommodate the high school and TWIGS (To Work In Gaining Skills) programs. TWIGS is the BSA's free-of-charge, after-school program for Baltimore City elementary and middle school children, serving over 580 Baltimore City elementary and middle school children from 173 public, private, and parochial schools, as well as 16 home-schooled students. In addition, through our community outreach programs we serve over 10,000 pre-kindergarten through 8th grade Baltimore City school children and their families.

An Opportunity to Build on a Public/Private Partnership

The total cost for the BSA capital project is approximately $29,228,000 million. This money will fund the renovation and additions to the current facility at 712 Cathedral Street, construction of new dance studios behind 704 Cathedral as well as pay for associated costs for the purchase and planned renovations of 704 Cathedral Street.

Much of the success of the Baltimore School for the Arts can be attributed to the combined support of the public and private sectors, a model for public education in Baltimore. This partnership is equally critical as we move forward in our capital campaign for a renovated and expanded Baltimore School for the Arts facility.

Who We Serve – Now

High School:
We have grown from a total enrollment of 68 students when we opened our doors in 1980 to a current enrollment of 318 students in 2004-05. Our current building was designed for a capacity enrollment of 300 students.

TWIGS:
The TWIGS program began in 1983 with 50 dance students. By 1995, the TWIGS program had grown to an enrollment of 300 students in art, music, theatre and dance. In recent years TWIGS has averaged 580 Baltimore City elementary and middle school children from 173 public, private, and parochial schools as well as 16 home-schooled students.

BSA School Performance Program for the Baltimore City Public Schools:
The BSA presents free of charge music, dance and theatre performances for 10,000 BCPSS elementary and middle school children and their families each year.
Baltimore School for the Arts Capital Renovation Project
A Case for Support
Page 3

Who We Serve – Looking Forward
The BSA renovation and expansion project will allow for the following growth in the high school, the TWIGS program and the arts services that the BSA provides to the BCPSS and Baltimore community families.

High school:
Once renovated, the BSA will increase the number of students it accepts in the departments of instrumental music and theatre production over the next five years. Instrumental music will increase by 30 students; and theatre production, which is the school’s newest discipline, will grow from 20 to 40 students. Renovations and new construction will also allow the BSA to increase the number of students in dance, theatre and visual arts. Growth in these disciplines will increase the total student population from 318 to 375 students, representing an 18% growth.

TWIGS:
Currently limited only by lack of space, the TWIGS program will expand 38-40%, from 580 to 800 students or more, with renovation and new construction. In addition, the BSA will launch a TWIGS theatre production program.

Expanded arts services to the BCPSS and the Baltimore community to include:
-Saturday workshops for BCPSS students (ages 4-13) and their families
-Family Performance Series-

Summer arts workshops for BCPSS elementary and middle school students
-BCPSS teacher training workshops in the arts.

How we meet the needs for the future:
Creating new and enhanced facilities including:
-Two new dance studios

-Ensemble rehearsal and teaching studios for music and theatre
-Additional keyboard lab
--Four new academic classrooms
-Two additional science classroom/labs
-Lecture hall for student testing, assemblies and lectures
- New physical education facility.

Renovating and expanding will address serious infrastructure and life safety needs of the current 712 facility, installed in and renovated only once, in 1978:
- Serious deterioration of concrete encased structural element, especially severe in the basement and the floor of the William Donald Schaefer Ballroom. -

Serious inadequacies in the heating, cooling and ventilation systems
-Deterioration of plumbing system
-Major water penetration and flooding problems-

-Compliance with ADA, safety, fire protection and environmental standards.

Keeping pace with state-of-the-art technology required to meet current professional artistic standards:
-Video/audio/design lab for theatre production
-State-of-the-art library/media center/computer lab
-Digital photography lab
-Music MIDI studio.

Doris Duke/Surdna Foundation
In February, 2001, the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) was awarded a challenge grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) and the Surdna Foundation as one of the top five public arts high schools in the country. The grant provided five years of artistic program support from the Surdna Foundation at $75,000 a year for a total of $375,000. In addition DDCF is provided five years of endowment support at $150,000 per year for a total of $750,000. In spring of 2006, BSA, thanks to the commitment of its generous donors, completed the DDCF match and recieved its final payment of $150,000 bringing this special endowment to $1.8 million and securing the future of the fine programs established as part of the challenge.

The new program initiatives that are being funded under the this grant are:
1) Artist-in- Residence Program in Dance - Nationally recognized choreographers and master teachers will be in residence working with our students and dance faculty. For the first year of the grant, nationally recognized choreographers and master teachers Jaime Martinez and Robert Battle from the David Parson's Dance Company were in residence. Mr. Martinez set The Envelop, a well-know Parson's piece and Mr. Battle conducted a week-long master class.

2) Resident Acting Company in Theatre - Theatre and theatre production students will work side-by-side with seasoned guest theatre professionals. For the first year of the grant, professional theatre artists Tana Hicken, Bruce Nelson and Michael Schleifer worked with our students to present A Chekhov Sampler - Scenes from the Major Plays.

3) Theatre Technology Fund in Theatre Production - The Theatre Production department will be able to keep current with rapidly changing industry technologies. This includes purchasing state-of-the art professional equipment and a training faculty and students to be conversant in current technologies.

4) Music Theory Initiative within the Music Department - Funds from the grant, will make it possible for the music theory faculty to a develop a music theory text-book specifically designed for the needs of our students.

5) Endowed Summer Study Scholarship Fund in Music and Dance - This grant will allow for 60% of junior music and dance students to participate in professional summer programs. BSA students have attended such prestigious summer programs including: Academy Internationale, Alvin Ailey, American Academy of Ballet, Aspen Music Camp, Berklee Music School, Boston Ballet, Brevard Music School, Carnegie Mellon, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Houston Ballet, Interlochen Summer Music Camp, Tanglewood Institute, The Indiana University Summer String Academy, The Litchfield Jazz Festival, MasterWorks, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet and School of American Ballet.