A Bold Vision for SLArts Outdoors
Our Outdoor Improvement Project is about more than beautifying our campus — it’s about creating a connected, inspiring space that reflects the spirit, energy, and imagination of our students. This multi-phase transformation will bring new life, new possibilities, and a stronger sense of community to our school grounds.
About our Outdoor Improvement Project
The Salt Lake Arts Academy Governing Board has committed to transforming our outdoor spaces into places for learning, performing, and play. This project reflects a bold, visionary plan to infuse creativity and connection into every corner of our campus.
Improvements rolled out in phases beginning in fall 2025, and when complete, is expected to cost more than $200,000. It is supported by a combination of capital improvement funds, local grants, and community-wide fundraising.
Our 2025–26 Annual Giving Campaign aimed to raise $75,000, which would unlock an additional $50,000 challenge grant to help fund this outdoor project. We are so grateful that we met and exceeded that goal - thank you to our school community! We also received another challenge grant for our April 2026 Day of Giving, and by meeting our $25,000 goal as a community, it unlocked another $50,000 to help support the project and more!
Special thanks to SLArts parent and landscape architect Troy Cook for sharing his expertise and guiding this project. Architectural plans and drawings by: Cook Studios, Landscape Architecture and Land Planning
Reimagining the Field
Inspired by ideas and feedback from students and faculty, the new outdoor design will unfold in several phases, focusing on four major areas of improvement and exciting new additions:
Colorful Surfaces
Resurfacing the asphalt paving with vibrant stripes and transforming the basketball court with bright colors and playful designs will showcase our school’s artistic roots — and make playtime even more fun.
Completed in Fall of 2025 and will undergo updating after installation of the outdoor classrooms.
Completed in Fall of 2025 and will undergo updating after installation of the outdoor classrooms.
Hammock Garden
Hammocks designed for public parks will turn a previously underutilized area of campus into a quiet retreat — a place to relax, recharge, and connect.
Completed in Spring of 2026.
Completed in Spring of 2026.
Outdoor Classrooms
These versatile, covered structures will create a year-round space for learning and gathering. They’ll also double as a secondary stage for performances during SLArts Fest each spring.
Expected completion in August 2026.
Expected completion in August 2026.
Elevated Stage
A new raised performance stage will transform the turf area into an open-air venue, with the school as a dynamic backdrop for performances and events.
If funding goals are reached, expect to start work on project in Spring of 2027.
If funding goals are reached, expect to start work on project in Spring of 2027.
Extras
To add even more color and connection, we’re planning rotating murals along the north fence and installing game tables, like ping-pong and foosball, to create more options for students to play and collaborate.
Varied phases
To add even more color and connection, we’re planning rotating murals along the north fence and installing game tables, like ping-pong and foosball, to create more options for students to play and collaborate.
Varied phases
Join Our Effort
Bold visions become reality when a community comes together. To support this transformation, please consider a gift to our Annual Giving Fund. Your donation will help shape a vibrant, inspiring outdoor campus for generations of students to come.
Contact Advancement Director Whitney Childers to learn more and/or contribute to this improvement project effort: [email protected].