Ron Newman
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Lesley University invites all interested neighbors of Porter Square to a
Community Meeting on March 20, 7 p.m., in the Amphitheatre on the Second
Floor of University Hall (formerly Porter Exchange), to discuss the
architectural design of a new arts center and facility for the Art Institute
of Boston (AIB).
Architects from the Cambridge firm of Bruner/Cott & Associates, and Lesley
President Joseph B. Moore, will present a "massing study" of the art college
on the site of the former North Prospect Church, which the University
purchased in 2006. The massing study is a step towards design, and a visual
representation of how the space needs of the art school, including community
spaces like art galleries, a library, and an "arts commons," could fit on
the property. In December, Bruner/Cott produced a "program report"
outlining all space needs of the facility, which is available for viewing at
http://www.lesley.edu/portersquare.
Lesley plans to hold a second meeting in April, as the architects move
towards schematic design incorporating feedback from the community, as well
as Lesley faculty and staff.
"The addition of this center for the arts in Porter Square is a unique
opportunity for Cambridge to bring the culture and character of a community
of artists to the neighborhood, and with it an economic lift and enhancement
to Porter Square as a destination," said Moore. "It's also an opportunity
for Lesley and AIB, to work with neighbors through public conversation in
the short-term towards the best design of a facility, and in the long-term
towards integrating AIB's arts instruction, students and faculty with a
strong and healthy community with a deep commitment to the arts."
Since announcing its plans to relocate AIB to Porter Square, Lesley
University has reached out to neighbors for input through a community
meeting in June of 2007, as well as regular meetings with a Working Group
established by Cambridge City Manager Robert Healey and comprised of
neighbors in and around Porter Square. Perspective gained through that
process has permeated all aspects of planning, said Moore.
"The most exciting element to me is reaching out to forge relationships with
Cambridge artists and artists groups," said Stan Trecker, Dean of the Art
Institute of Boston at Lesley University. "An art school in Cambridge, with
its display spaces, constant stream of exhibitions and events, and the
artists who will study and create there, represents access and resources for
the vibrant community of artists in Cambridge. In turn, our students are
enriched through a cooperative interaction with working artists and groups,
and exposure to the important ways in which they add to the community."
Lesley and the architectural team plan to incorporate feedback from the
meeting into the next phase of planning - schematic design - and towards
more formal conversations with the City of Cambridge's regulatory boards.
Lesley gratefully acknowledges the Cultural Facilities Fund of the
Massachusetts Cultural Council for their support of an open community
process towards establishing an arts center in Porter Square.
The Art Institute of Boston merged with Lesley University in 1998. Lesley
purchased the North Prospect Church in 2006, and plans to house the Art
Institute within the existing church structure and in a new structure on the
parcel. AIB has approximately 500 students, and its residential students
are already residing in Lesley's residence halls located in Cambridge.
Neighbors who are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to submit
commentary or questions to portersquare@lesley.edu. The University
maintains a website at http://www.lesley.edu/portersquare to keep the community updated on the project through completion.
Community Meeting on March 20, 7 p.m., in the Amphitheatre on the Second
Floor of University Hall (formerly Porter Exchange), to discuss the
architectural design of a new arts center and facility for the Art Institute
of Boston (AIB).
Architects from the Cambridge firm of Bruner/Cott & Associates, and Lesley
President Joseph B. Moore, will present a "massing study" of the art college
on the site of the former North Prospect Church, which the University
purchased in 2006. The massing study is a step towards design, and a visual
representation of how the space needs of the art school, including community
spaces like art galleries, a library, and an "arts commons," could fit on
the property. In December, Bruner/Cott produced a "program report"
outlining all space needs of the facility, which is available for viewing at
http://www.lesley.edu/portersquare.
Lesley plans to hold a second meeting in April, as the architects move
towards schematic design incorporating feedback from the community, as well
as Lesley faculty and staff.
"The addition of this center for the arts in Porter Square is a unique
opportunity for Cambridge to bring the culture and character of a community
of artists to the neighborhood, and with it an economic lift and enhancement
to Porter Square as a destination," said Moore. "It's also an opportunity
for Lesley and AIB, to work with neighbors through public conversation in
the short-term towards the best design of a facility, and in the long-term
towards integrating AIB's arts instruction, students and faculty with a
strong and healthy community with a deep commitment to the arts."
Since announcing its plans to relocate AIB to Porter Square, Lesley
University has reached out to neighbors for input through a community
meeting in June of 2007, as well as regular meetings with a Working Group
established by Cambridge City Manager Robert Healey and comprised of
neighbors in and around Porter Square. Perspective gained through that
process has permeated all aspects of planning, said Moore.
"The most exciting element to me is reaching out to forge relationships with
Cambridge artists and artists groups," said Stan Trecker, Dean of the Art
Institute of Boston at Lesley University. "An art school in Cambridge, with
its display spaces, constant stream of exhibitions and events, and the
artists who will study and create there, represents access and resources for
the vibrant community of artists in Cambridge. In turn, our students are
enriched through a cooperative interaction with working artists and groups,
and exposure to the important ways in which they add to the community."
Lesley and the architectural team plan to incorporate feedback from the
meeting into the next phase of planning - schematic design - and towards
more formal conversations with the City of Cambridge's regulatory boards.
Lesley gratefully acknowledges the Cultural Facilities Fund of the
Massachusetts Cultural Council for their support of an open community
process towards establishing an arts center in Porter Square.
The Art Institute of Boston merged with Lesley University in 1998. Lesley
purchased the North Prospect Church in 2006, and plans to house the Art
Institute within the existing church structure and in a new structure on the
parcel. AIB has approximately 500 students, and its residential students
are already residing in Lesley's residence halls located in Cambridge.
Neighbors who are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to submit
commentary or questions to portersquare@lesley.edu. The University
maintains a website at http://www.lesley.edu/portersquare to keep the community updated on the project through completion.
