Germantown Academy’s Arts Center is used for a variety of programs, including digital media, performing arts, and visual arts. Notwithstanding the plethora of arts programs at GA, many arts students feel that athletics are the center of attention, specifically in regards to funding. For example, GA recently invested in the Jordan Center, which is over 7,000 square feet of weight training and cardio fitness space.
“I think the Jordan Center has been more used and helpful than the old weight room and has been used by more faculty now as well as being bigger and more teams can use it,” student-athlete Laney Sanni ‘25 said.
While the Jordan Center did receive a heavy amount of funding, students and faculty have been putting it to good use. The upgraded space was much needed to fit the size of growing teams and is beneficial when multiple teams need a space to go.
Even with the increasing athletic community, it is noteworthy that GA has ten indoor and eleven outdoor athletic facilities, spanning over 126 acres.
“We might not have what the school considers enough space for the Athletics Department, but we do already have a lot. We only have one Arts Center,” Jules Corren ‘25, sculpture and performing arts member, said.
With the growing attention on athletics, the spotlight seems to have shifted away from the needs of the arts program. While the Arts Center has improved over the last five years, there are still notable changes that need to be made. The space is limited and has constant heating problems, leaks and floods.
“The gallery is probably one of the weakest aspects of the Arts Center. The space was not designed to exhibit large sculpture work and because of that, work is often damaged because of the tightness of the quarters,” Mr. Love, 2D arts teacher, said.
Even though many of the studios in the Arts Center are well-functioning, all the programs are cramped into one space. I believe that there needs to be a greater separation between digital arts, visual arts and performing arts. Each of these programs is unique, and putting them all in one space does not allow each program to grow to its full potential.
Art students have directly felt the effects of the tight space this year. There have been space concerns regarding both Belfry productions and fitting everyone’s work in the gallery. Overall, the same funding that has been put into the athletics program should also be put into the art programs. The lack of funding is leaving the arts student feeling neglected.
“After Covid, appreciation for the arts at GA has declined. I saw this with the wellness center being built while the Arts Center is still in need of repairs and isn’t fully accessible to everyone,” McKenna Miller ‘25, a performing arts member, said. “There are no elevators or ramps–the money should be going where we need it. It should be going to renovate the Arts Center and fund our shows for costumes, rights, and promotions.”
“There’s a lot of talented artists here and it would be really great if there would be more funding or spotlight on us,” Hannah Greenfield ‘25, 2D honors artist, said.
Overall, the Arts Center needs to be expanded to fit the growing arts program just as the athletic facilities have been. An upgraded space would improve the quality of work and performance of the art students and make them feel more valued in the community. With these concerns in mind, I believe GA will do its best to better the Arts Center and push the art programs even further going forward.