Arts celebrate new office spaces at Sandra Moon Community Complex

Published on February 1, 2024

For the first time in their collective history, five Huntsville musical arts organizations now have a place to rehearse and call home.

Huntsville Community Chorus Association, Huntsville Master Chorale, Huntsville Youth Orchestra, Huntsville Concert Band and the Brass Band of Huntsville are among the first tenants in a new arts wing at the Sandra Moon Community Complex.

Through a partnership with the City of Huntsville and Parks & Recreation, Arts Huntsville will manage a 12,500-square-foot area in the former Grissom School building to provide rehearsal space, private offices and shared break, copy and work rooms for Huntsville arts organizations.

“The Sandra Moon Community Complex arts wing is a game-changer for Huntsville’s arts community,” said Allison Dillon-Jauken, Arts Huntsville Executive Director.  “Rehearsal and office space has been an ongoing need for local music groups and arts organizations, and both children and adults will be using this facility each week. This one-of-kind space in Huntsville will provide greater community access to our local arts organizations and foster new artistic collaborations across the community.”

To celebrate the opening of the new arts wing, Arts Huntsville joined City leaders for a ribbon-cutting celebration on Feb. 1. The occasion marks another milestone in the City’s multimillion-dollar renovation of the former school building. KPS Group is the architect on the project and the contractor is Consolidated Construction Company.

“When the renovations are complete, this facility will become the premier arts complex for our community,” Mayor Battle said. “In addition to rehearsal and office space, our local arts groups will have a beautiful event space and a phenomenal theater for performances.”

Long-time arts champion and District 3 City Council Member Jennie Robinson said she felt like Dorothy walking into Oz when she entered the renovated space.

“New walls, new furnishings, and new technology have successfully refreshed the space that had been home to generations of Grissom band students,” Robinson said.  “I am so grateful that a new generation will be able to expand their talents and find joy in music as they perform in what will truly become a home for the performing arts,”

Robinson and Mayor Battle were close friends and supporters of the late D3 Council Member Sandra Moon, and they believe she would be proud of the transformation of the former Grissom High campus into something that would benefit the entire community.

The Sandra Moon Community Complex includes the South Huntsville Public Library, recreation fields, playground, pickleball courts, and now – a home for the arts.

The City anticipates the final phases of the renovations will be complete in 2025.