Creating the Center for the Arts
On May 13, 2017, Head of School John Packard broke ground in front of the campus' historic barn during Alumni Weekend, marking the beginning of construction on Brooks School’s new Center for the Arts. The $28 million facility opened for use on October 30, bonding the visual, musical, and performing arts together and placing them on display through the building’s many stunning walls of windows.
It's an exciting project that will open up a wide range of possibilities for our arts program while transforming the center of our campus.
Head of School John Packard
The project will provide our community with a facility that supports student self-expression, invites creativity across disciplines and elevates the arts within our curriculum.
Project Timeline
- June 2017: Demolition of the visual arts building and Danforth Memorial building began ahead of schedule. The barn was taken down a few days later to make away for the new construction.
- Aug. 2017: Concrete was poured for the basements.
- Oct. 2017: Crews erected vertical steel beams to form the roof, while more steel was installed for floors.
- Feb. 2018: The building was weather-tightened, enabling interior work throughout the winter.
- May 2018: Outside work began including wood siding and the metal roofing.
- July 2018: The courtyard between the new center, Danforth Gymnasium and Wilder Dining Hall started to take shape with stone walls, walkways and stairs.
- October 2018: Interior work is completed and the community is able to enter the building and begin enjoying it!
- October 30, 2018: Brooks celebrates the formal opening of the Center for the Arts with current students, faculty and staff.
Follow Brooks School’s social media for photos, footage and updates on the Center for the Arts project as they happen:
Facebook: facebook.com/brooks1926
Twitter: twitter.com/brooksschool
Insta: instagram.com/brooks_school