African American Arts and Cultural Center
African American Arts and Cultural Center
African American Arts and Cultural Center Project
Welcome to the public engagement opportunity for the African American Arts and Cultural Center (AAACC). The facility will be built at 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, FL 33607, the current site of the West Tampa Community Resource Center.
In 2023, a series of three AAACC community meetings were held, and residents learned about the plans to build a vibrant and engaging African American Arts and Cultural Center in Hillsborough. Through resident feedback at those meetings and through the project’s online engagement, County leaders gained a clearer understanding of the programs and use of space residents hoped for.
With this information, County planners modified design plans. When complete, the AAACC will be a flexible space, able to host a variety of programs and events. All pictures shown in this engagement are conceptual renderings, as the planning is fluid in this stage.
Three additional community meetings are planned for May 2024, during which the planning team will discuss potential AAACC programming.
The virtual public education engagement will be open to visitors from May 6 - May 27, 2024. Residents may also participate in person by attending one of the three community meetings listed on this page. To enter your feedback, please go to the Comments section.
Background and Site
The future site of the AAACC, 2103 N. Rome Ave., is in West Tampa, which is one of the eight original African American neighborhoods in Tampa. West Tampa was an area that many African American families moved to for housing, homeownership, and developing businesses. The strong ties of the African American community continue in West Tampa today. According to the 2020 Census, the area has a 69% African American population living near the project site.
Over time, several of the original eight areas have been lost or reduced. Today, West Tampa remains a predominantly African American community; however, one with no anchor facility for the community to gather and celebrate the area's unique history.
The AAACC will be a two-story, 50,000-square-foot structure that consists of a range of public experience spaces, meeting spaces, galleries, labs, studios, event spaces, retail, and a café. On the exterior, the cultural center will feature an amphitheater, lawn space, sculptures, a ribbon trail, and multi-use gathering spaces.
The AAACC will be a unique space in Hillsborough County where the history and stories of African American communities and African diaspora are honored and come to life through the events, arts, and educational experiences. The AAACC is intended to be an active facility open seven days a week for visitors, events, and educational groups. The building design includes open spaces or large corridors which connect the facility's interior to the exterior. Regardless of the visit type, the AAACC will inform and emphasize the unique contributions that African American communities have made to the Tampa Bay region and beyond.
The design phase is currently underway, and construction is partially funded. The facility cost is estimated at $30 million, and fundraising initiatives are underway.
First Floor and Outdoor Spaces
Second Floor Spaces
PUBLIC QUESTIONS & COMMENTS
CONTACT INFO
TELL US ABOUT YOU
The following demographic questions are optional.
We would really appreciate your response to ensure we are reaching all segments of our community with our outreach efforts.
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We thank you for your participation!
