Campus Master Building Plan
A Bold Vision for ASFA’s Future
Our new campus master plan is designed to ignite creativity, foster collaboration, and support the next generation of artists, scholars, and innovators.
The Alabama School of Fine Arts is embarking on a transformative journey with a campus master building plan that reimagines the spaces where students live, learn, and create. This is more than construction, it’s an investment in the limitless potential of ASFA students. As we build, we’re building more than facilities; we’re building a future.
ASFA Unveils New Campus Master Building Plan
A phased plan to enhance creative spaces, support growth, and foster student well-being
The Alabama School of Fine Arts has announced an exciting new campus master building plan, marking a significant step forward in enhancing all specialty facilities and enriching student life through a new dormitory. The comprehensive multi-year plan, developed with substantial input from ASFA department chairs, staff, trustees, foundation directors, and teachers, further builds on the school’s strategic vision for growth and modernization. Starting with the specialty program space, the first phase of the plan is estimated to cost between $30 million and $40 million and will be paid for through state-allocated funds and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
“Our 35-year-old main campus has not kept pace with our intensive specialty programs and is now blocking the programs from modernizing curriculum and instruction and from achieving desired managed growth. We need purpose-built facilities to thrive,” says Dr. Tim Mitchell, ASFA President.
A Vision for the Future
Located in Birmingham’s vibrant cultural district, ASFA’s campus will remain within its current footprint between 18th and 19th Streets, including the 820 18th Street building, which was part of ASFA’s original home. At the heart of the master plan is prioritizing the needs that were communicated by the full ASFA community while creating the strategic plan, and from the Purpose Built Design Advisory Group. The priorities that came out of the discussions, forums, and events are: 1. Purpose-built, dedicated facilities for the specialty departments based on teaching needs. 2. Academic classroom space to match desired growth in the specialty departments. 3. A new dormitory.
The first phase of the plan will include updating and creating new spaces for all six of the specialty areas. It will also include the creation of a “creative quad,” an open, welcoming courtyard that will connect all six of ASFA’s specialty areas. The outdoor quad is designed to provide students with a dynamic space for socializing, collaboration, and creative expression. Designed with student well-being in mind, the new quad will feature enhanced natural light, space for collaboration, and areas for performance and reflection. Natural light is central to the new and renovated building spaces, promoting an inviting atmosphere and fostering a sense of openness throughout the campus.
Planned Growth
A key element of the building plan is the purposeful and intentional increase in the student body from 350 to 425. This gradual growth will ensure that the school maintains its close-knit community atmosphere while meeting its mission to serve talented young artists and scholars from throughout the state. Throughout the construction process, ASFA will work to minimize disruptions to the school day and maintain the vibrant learning environment that students and faculty value.
Architectural Expertise
Under the leadership of ASFA President Dr. Tim Mitchell with ArchitectureWorks, a Birmingham-based architecture firm known for its innovative and community-centric designs, and input from ASFA faculty and staff, the campus master building plan was created to ensure the design will meet the evolving needs of students and educators alike. ArchitectureWorks has earned a reputation for creating spaces that blend functionality with aesthetic appeal.
“For the last 15 months, we have learned much about the ins and outs of ASFA: its routines, where the curriculum, students, and faculty excel, where they are pinched, and where they can and need to grow. Recently, we have shifted from a brainstorming mindset to a feasibility mindset as we further develop project priorities alongside a budget while continuing to seek ways to unlock opportunities for campus-wide improvements and enhancing cross-pollination amongst disciplines,” says Jessica Hughes Bennett, Partner at ArchitectureWorks.
She continues, “This also marks the jumping off point for visualizations, which will get everyone even more excited about the whole process as we bring architecture to the goals identified in the Master Planning process and outlined in ASFA’s Strategic Plan.”
Phase One: Transforming Spaces
Phase one of the plan includes three main parts, beginning with the construction of a new building that will house the visual arts program, health and wellness facilities, a dedicated storm shelter, and new spaces for dance. The courtyard will also undergo a significant renovation, creating a more cohesive and accessible environment for students.
“The new dance studios at ASFA will support the long history of storied success that ASFA Dance is so proud of. We look forward to getting into our new home to guide the next generation of ASFA Dance artists,” says Dance Department Chair Wes Chapman.
Once the new building is completed, it will pave the way for the second part of phase one, which will repurpose vacated areas to accommodate renovations for the theater, math-science, and creative writing programs. Finally, the last part of phase one will focus on the entry area and creating new spaces for the music department. Through this plan, each of the six specialty departments will enjoy improvements and upgrades.
Looking Ahead: Phases Two and Three
Following the completion of phase one, phase two will focus on constructing a new boarding facility, addressing the growing need for modern student accommodations in a building separate from academic and specialty spaces. In phase three, the current dormitory spaces will be repurposed to expand academic facilities, creating space to grow and fostering spaces for the strong academic foundations ASFA provides.
“Our students are brilliant, talented young artists who deserve a residence hall that reflects the warmth and creativity they bring to campus every day. This new boarding facility is designed to be more than just a place to stay. It will be a welcoming, inspiring home away from home,” says Director of Student Support Services Kim Strickland.
Building a Brighter Future
“Who we are and what we do is unique in Alabama. The campus project is not only about excellence at ASFA; it is about excellence in Alabama. A thriving ASFA provides outstanding opportunities to students, but it also supports ASFA as a beacon and a resource for the whole state at a time when ASFA represents the future of education and the teaching of future-proof skills for the next generation,” says Mitchell.
ASFA’s new campus master plan represents a transformative investment in the school’s future, balancing innovation with respect for the school’s rich history. With contributions by the Board of Trustees and past-chair Dr. Ba-Shen Welch, and the entire school community contributing their insights, the project promises to elevate ASFA’s role as a premier institution for the fine arts and sciences. As the school continues to grow and evolve, these new spaces will ensure that students have the resources they need to thrive creatively and academically.