Construction of new Visual Arts and Design Academy at Santa Barbara High School near completion

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Crews are working quickly to finish building the new Visual Arts and Design Academy known as VADA at Santa Barbara High School.

The 1,600 square-foot building will house new equipment including a large format printer, a laser cutter and an industrial sewing machine.  

“I’m really excited it just looks really cool and it’s like we’re gonna have a bunch of new stuff in there like computers and stuff so every like base of art and every type of media … will be able to work on it all in like the same area," said student Alexander Morrison of Santa Barbara High School.

VADA is considered  a “school-within-a-school” integrating academic coursework with project-based, career-focused art and design instruction.

“It means new opportunities … new ways to grow as both a person and an artist you know … this is for VADA but also for school," said student Ofelia Jarabo of Santa Barbara High School.

One of the highlights of this project is the building is going to be both an indoor and outdoor classroom for the students.

“In collaboration with the industry professionals and it’s all in conjunction of working together with instructors and on a beautiful site … I’m very excited," said principal Fred Razo of Santa Barbara High School.

Program leaders believe the new building will not only allow students to develop their artistic talents, but it will also help bring them together as a community.

VADA has been around since 1999 with more than 200 students.

The funding for the building includes a state grant of $2.2 million with the school district matching the amount, an anonymous $1.2 million donation from a private donor, and community fundraising through Friends of VADA.

The new VADA building is expected to open this fall.