780 Salem Ave, Elizabeth, NJ 07208 | 908.469.1211
OUR BLOG
Construction Progress; Partnership with Kean University!
With the 2025 Spring semester officially at a close, we want to reflect on some highlights in our construction over the past few months, as well as other thrilling changes to come in the near future, including renovated bathrooms, a completed Fellowship Hall, and our(partial) move to Kean University this Summer 2025!
If you had been on campus back in March, you probably remember walking past lines and lines of yellow “Caution” tape, the piles of dirt dug out of the earth, and using a makeshift bridge to get over the trench between the church building and the Manse. This was a necessary part of the process in getting our electrical lines upgraded for our future facilities, and thanks to our construction team, we were able to carry on with regular programming with safety at the forefront. Now, the trench has finally been covered up!
Currently, renovations to Fellowship Hall and our bathrooms are steadily progressing, just in time for completion by the end of June! Fellowship will not only be made brand new for our Institute family (with upgraded lighting, sound systems, stage curtains, colors, and more), but it will eventually become a space available to rent for community and private events.
We’re especially looking forward to the completion of our new restroom suite, featuring accessible restrooms and gorgeous new tile!
While remaining church building construction ensues, including roof and exterior work as well as classroom makeovers, summer camp will look a little different this year. Our exciting partnership with Kean University means that we will be conducting some classes at Kean, granting us access to top-notch arts facilities while we continue to build our own. For our “Bigs” (students Grades 4 to 12), most classes will be held on Kean University’s-East Campus, just a few blocks away.
Meanwhile, our “Littles” (students Grades 1 to 3) will remain on the Institute’s campus. For classes that may take place on both campuses, students will be transported through the Institute’s van.
Of course, this is only the beginning. Eventually, we will fulfill our vision of a state-of-the-art cultural hub for young people filled with green spaces throughout campus for gatherings, plays, and performances. We can’t wait for what is to come!
