Vision

To cultivate an environment that meets the needs of a highly creative community and reflects Peabody’s deep tradition and forward-looking vision for the performing arts in the 21st century.

Goals and Progress

Goal: Through expansion of the existing Peabody campus footprint including acquisition of the Waterloo apartments, ensure a dramatically improved living experience for Peabody students in the future, with a seamless transition to new housing by fall 2026.

July 2026 Updates:

• A Student Experience Committee has been established to advise on the transition to new housing.
• A furniture inventory was completed; security and IT needs have been assessed.

Goal: Program, design, repurpose, and renovate current on-campus towers for expanded square footage to meet programmatic needs with high quality space, beginning with design process to be completed by January 2026, progressing through a building phase that ensures the smoothest transition possible, with occupancy of renovated buildings before the end of this 5-year plan.

July 2026 Updates:

• Ennead was selected as our architectural design firm following a robust RFP process.
• Focus groups representing the Peabody community have been established to provide input on programmatic needs.
• The Construction Manager selection process is ongoing.

Goal: Design a plan and timeline for remaining campus upgrades, some currently underway (e.g., elevators, restrooms, Friedberg Hall improvements), including improvements in accessibility and sustainability, to take place over the course of this plan.

July 2026 Updates:

• Upgrades currently include modernization of elevators, restroom renovations, new classroom furniture, new security technology, and additional cosmetic improvements across the campus.
• Mechanical and acoustical upgrades to Friedberg Hall are expected to be completed by March 2026.

Goal: In addition to new and expanded square footage across Peabody, ensure maximum efficiency in the use of the Peabody campus through a comprehensive space usage plan developed over the 2024-25 academic year that is flexible and responsive to meet the needs of faculty and students, and the staff that support them.

July 2026 Updates:

• A new faculty studio sharing model has been successfully implemented, maximizing space by providing adequate time for all full-time faculty, while creating additional structured time for adjunct Conservatory teaching, Preparatory teaching, and student practice.