"A new chapter unfolds for the arts in San Jose as Starting Arts prepares to relocate to two vacant buildings in the North San Pedro District this May. The nonprofit, dedicated to student arts programs, will transform a former courthouse and MMA gym into a vibrant hub called The Shared Arts Center of San Jose. Spanning 25,000 square feet at 99 Notre Dame Avenue and 92 Sharks Way, this space addresses the long-standing need for affordable venues where creative groups can thrive together."
"The center will serve as a collaborative home for Starting Arts alongside partners such as Silicon Valley Shakespeare, Los Lupeños, ArtHouse Studio, and Playful People Productions. Facilities include rehearsal studios, scene and costume workshops, and a black box theater, with the courthouse's soundproof walls ideally suited for dance classes. Plans also call for large murals to adorn the exteriors. This move not only doubles the organization's current space near the fairgrounds but also integrates it more deeply into Downtown San Jose's arts ecosystem."
"Previously feeling somewhat isolated, Starting Arts now positions itself amid the city's dynamic core, ready to launch summer camps and other programs to benefit the community. The transition also revives long-empty properties. Local developer Swenson, owner of the buildings, shifted from earlier high-rise plans to support this arts-focused initiative amid changing post-COVID demands. The result promises to draw families and audiences as well as encouraging visits to nearby cafes and restaurants."
Starting Arts will relocate to two vacant North San Pedro buildings this May, creating The Shared Arts Center of San Jose across 25,000 square feet. The site will convert a former courthouse and MMA gym into rehearsal studios, scene and costume workshops, a black box theater, and soundproofed dance spaces. Partner organizations will share space, and large exterior murals are planned. The move doubles Starting Arts' current footprint, integrates programming into downtown, revives long-empty properties, and aims to draw families, audiences, and neighborhood foot traffic for classes, summer camps, and evening performances.
Read at Thesanjoseblog
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