CLIENT: Greater Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center
LOCATION: Boston, MA
SCOPE: New Construction
STATUS: Design Development
SIZE: 34,600 sf

Greater Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center

The Greater Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center (GRACC) is a cultural hub dedicated to Boston’s Black and Latinx communities in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, MA. The program for the new 35,000 GSF visual and performing arts center includes a 2-level main stage proscenium theater, galleries, rehearsal spaces, lobby and theater support spaces that reflect the community’s heritage. The Greater Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center is envisioned as a beacon of cultural expression and education that will be a transformative addition to Boston’s cultural landscape.

GRACC is part of the Nubian Square Ascends development project, which also includes an office/lab building, artist housing, Artist Way outdoor space, and parking garage. The goal of the Nubian Square Ascends project is to reestablish Nubian Square as an employment, cultural and social focus of the Roxbury community to create and expand equity and promote community-based art, culture and business.

GRACC will provide greatly needed performing and visual arts spaces to support and promote the cultural and artistic community in Nubian Square. The design for the project is founded in the historical significance of Nubian Square as a commercial and cultural center and draws inspiration from both the local context and the history of Nubia. Sustainability is a priority for the project; GRACC will follow LEED and net-zero building guidelines. The program for the new 35,000 GSF visual and performing arts center includes a +/-310 seat proscenium theater, art galleries, a flexible black box theater, rehearsal room, changing rooms and theater support spaces. A welcoming, community building, GRACC’s ground floor entrances on Washington and Eustis Streets will be transparent, and a glowing screen façade with the triangular elements of Nubia will act as a beacon on Washington Street.