The new African American Arts & Cultural Center (AAACC), in vibrant West Tampa, aims to enrich the community by celebrating African American culture’s rich heritage while fostering economic prosperity. West Tampa is one of the eight original African American neighborhoods in Tampa.
The AAACC is a two-story, 50,000 square feet structure that consists of a range of public experience spaces, meeting spaces, galleries, art and cultural studios, event spaces, retail, and a café. Event spaces, lobby, and galleries are highly flexible spaces to accommodate the needs of the community overtime. On the exterior, the cultural center will feature an amphitheater, flex lawn, sculpture garden, and multi-use gathering spaces along a heritage trail celebrating important milestones and figures of African American culture.
The large roof canopy and elevated art studios on stilts create a large front porch inviting the public to gather and celebrate. The front porch transitions directly to the lobby, main event space, and café, offering large exterior event spaces. Operable walls allow the main event space to expand to the front porch and the lobby, doubling its capacity for large events. Facing Rome Avenue, the main stairs pierce through the façade with a large hanging sculpture over the stairs landing. It sparks curiosity and entices people to come in. The pattern of the perforated façade is inspired by the fabric of quilt patterns. On the second level, a large rooftop terrace face the exterior spaces and amphitheater. Through this visionary project, FG+M aspires to inspire unity, foster creativity, and preserve the rich cultural legacy for future generations.
