Arts Wing Expansion To Transform Creative Education In New Upper School Building (2024)

Lausanne's announcement of investing almost $30 million in its building and facilities over the next five years promises an exciting future for the independent school, and the building's Arts Wing addition is an especially thrilling development on the horizon.

The Arts Wing expansion will include a large Black Box theater, art studio, dance and performance studio, and a design and fabrication lab. Over 10,000 square feet will also add new classrooms, copious storage for our art research library, and a performing arts costume room.

"Our arts classes are bursting at the seams," shared Charlotte Albertson, Lausanne's Chief Development Officer. "This space will help give these students the space they need to develop their artistic abilities like never before."

As plans for the new wing develop, creating the best experience and meeting the demands of Lausanne's growing Arts plays a massive role in the design. For instance, the new Black Box theater will give student thespians and dancers an additional space to showcase their talents and complement the Elder Performing Arts Center (EPAC).

As a theater instructor at Lausanne and the director of EPAC for almost twenty years, Estes Hammons has had a front-row view of how the performing arts program has grown over the years.

"Having a Black Box theater will provide much-needed rehearsal and event space to our students," Mr. Hammons said. "It gives us a place for auditions to be held and for IB productions to be filmed, allowing students to more effectively plan their technical requirements without being affected by other events in EPAC."

This state-of-the-art theater is designed to be versatile, making it suitable for rehearsals, full-scale productions, guest speakers, divisional convocations and smaller assemblies. It will also include curtains, partitions, portable seating, and the latest lighting and sound equipment.

"This new space will enhance the future of events like the student-directed One Acts, which will benefit from advancements such as a newer lighting system that students can learn to operate," Hammons said. "Overall, this was long overdue, and I look forward to its completion."

Lausanne's dance program has also experienced remarkable growth in recent years, which inspired the plans to create a new dance and performance studio in the arts wing expansion.

"As a dancer, I find being part of a welcoming and nurturing community wonderful," Sydney Woods '25 shared. "I can't wait to see this program flourish and elevate with the new dance room facilities and see the legacy that continues to be developed."

The dance and performance studio will feature a sprung floor to reduce the impact on joints and prevent injuries, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, adjustable barres and a high-quality sound system. The space will cater to the artistic and practical needs of dance performance and provide an environment that supports creativity, technique and presentation for both students new to dance and longtime performers like Caylie Jordan '27.

"I have been dancing for about eight years now, and to see the school build a new studio is thrilling," Caylie said. "I feel the new studio will grant many new opportunities and benefit the dance program in many ways."

Adding a state-of-the-art fabrication lab and dynamic art studio featuring ample northern light for our visual arts students will offer Upper School students quality spaces that provide educational and creative benefits. These spaces can be used for different projects, collaborations and skill development. By providing them with inspiring, well-lit spaces and cutting-edge tools, these spaces will play a crucial role in fostering creativity and innovation among our fine art students.

In addition to multiple spaces that enhance the learning environment for Upper School students, the Arts Wing expansion also addresses the need for more storage space, which is currently hampering Lausanne's artistic endeavors. Albertson says this feature is crucial to the future of our arts programs.

"When materials and equipment can be well-organized, students and faculty can spend more time on their curriculum and activities," Albertson said. "This includes a costume room for our theatre program, an art research room and additional storage rooms and solutions."

Lausanne has spent the last year working with a nationally recognized arts consultant to revise the original plans from 2018. The consultant will also be advising the school during the construction process, therefore ensuring these new arts facilities are equipped to cater to the needs of our students and faculty. Students will have more opportunities to explore, create and realize their artistic and inventive ideas, enriching their learning experience within the International Baccalaureate curriculum.

Upper School