Living Arts & Science Center to Launch Expansion

The Living Arts & Science Center recently received three donations that will allow the center to break ground on an expansion and renovation this spring.

The project will more than double the existing space and dramatically expand the LASC’s capacity to serve students of all ages in the Bluegrass.

The renovation and expansion project will include a planetarium, new classrooms, increased interactive exhibit spaces, a digital media studio, a teaching kitchen, a clay studio, and expanded urban green space with a rooftop garden.

An innovative Glo Gallery will provide a 15×28-foot glass wall for projections and digital art presentations and is named in honor of long-time LASC board member and supporter, Gloria Singletary.

For the past four decades, LASC has found a home in Lexington’s east end. Staying there was a top priority.

Therefore, the project will include a renovation of the historic Kinkead House, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The renovated space will house a new Children’s Art Gallery and a retail gallery. The current art gallery, classrooms and office spaces will be renovated as well.

“Because of the significant growth of our programs and the limitations of our space, we have had to restrict our offerings because we can’t provide for more than one group event at a time,” said Hannah Huggins, President of LASC’s Board of Directors.

“The new space will allow all of our programs to develop and grow within their own unique space. We anticipate nearly doubling our attendance within the first year after completion.”

The expansion and renovation is scheduled to take 10 to 12 months and will be completed in the spring of 2015.

Chief contributors to the $5 million Imagine This Campaign are Will Farish ($1 million), Joe Craft ($500,000) and Tom and Susie Bell ($128,000.)

LASC has raised nearly $4.2 million.

“We are so grateful to have such generous donors who value the educational richness and diversity that the Living Arts & Science Center provides,” said Heather Lyons,

Executive Director, “and who want to make it as accessible as possible to all children and adults, schools, libraries, community organizations, artists, and educators, within the community and throughout the state.”