Lots of elementary school kids eventually go to college. But it's not every day that an elementary school itself does. In a manner of speaking, that's what happened to the Elihu B. Taft School at the corner of Williams and Pearl streets in Burlington. It is now part of the University of Vermont. Early in October, UVM officially recognized the 1939 building's new incarnation as a multidisciplinary arts facility, catering to both visual and performing arts. Formally it's been christened the Michele and Martin Cohen Hall for the Integrative Creative Arts — in honor of the donors who made it possible — but it's easier just to call it "Cohen Hall." Students have been utilizing the revamped school since classes began in September. "By the skin of our teeth, it was ready this semester," said Kelley Di Dio, associate College of Arts and Sciences dean, a professor in the art and art history department, and a key figure in the Taft transformation. "I oversaw implementation of the plan for Arts and Sciences, in consultation with Paul [Besaw, chair of the music and dance department], who I knew needed a dance floor, and other faculty." Di Dio, who liaised with architects and contractors, said she was involved with everything from doorknobs to paint colors. "But more than anything," she said, "I saw the possibilities of bringing all these disciplines together." She's referring to the fact that some programs, particularly film and TV and dance, were sorely in need of more space. The film students didn't have a designated production facility, for example; the 10-year-old dance program didn't have a room with a sprung floor. "There are ways in which this building is an important provider of things we're already teaching," said Di Dio, "and then [there are] new things." Architecturally, Cohen Hall mixes old and new, too. The stately two-story brick building with the tall white columns — a product of the 1930s Works Progress Administration — hasn't changed much on the outside. Only a sign in the yard and lettering above the front door signal a shift from its former purpose. During a tour last week with Besaw and academic communications professional Kevin Coburn, the interior also revealed only subtle additions. The marble entry remained intact, but visitors found themselves facing the first of a number of video kiosks featuring student works on a loop. A glance left or right…
Lots of elementary school kids eventually go to college. But it's not every day that an elementary school itself does. In a manner of speaking, that's what happened to the Elihu B. Taft School at the corner of Williams and Pearl streets in Burlington. It is now part of the University of Vermont. Early in October, UVM officially recognized the 1939 building's new incarnation as a multidisciplinary arts facility, catering to both visual and performing arts. Formally it's been christened the Michele and Martin Cohen Hall for the Integrative Creative Arts — in honor of the donors who made it possible — but it's easier just to call it "Cohen Hall." Students have been utilizing the revamped school since classes began in September. "By the skin of our teeth, it was ready this semester," said Kelley Di Dio, associate College of Arts and Sciences dean, a professor in the art and art history department, and a key figure in the Taft transformation. "I oversaw implementation of the plan for Arts and Sciences, in consultation with Paul [Besaw, chair of the music and dance department], who I knew needed a dance floor, and other faculty." Di Dio, who liaised with architects and contractors, said she was involved with everything from doorknobs to paint colors. "But more than anything," she said, "I saw the possibilities of bringing all these disciplines together." She's referring to the fact that some programs, particularly film and TV and dance, were sorely in need of more space. The film students didn't have a designated production facility, for example; the 10-year-old dance program didn't have a room with a sprung floor. "There are ways in which this building is an important provider of things we're already teaching," said Di Dio, "and then [there are] new things." Architecturally, Cohen Hall mixes old and new, too. The stately two-story brick building with the tall white columns — a product of the 1930s Works Progress Administration — hasn't changed much on the outside. Only a sign in the yard and lettering above the front door signal a shift from its former purpose. During a tour last week with Besaw and academic communications professional Kevin Coburn, the interior also revealed only subtle additions. The marble entry remained intact, but visitors found themselves facing the first of a number of video kiosks featuring student works on a loop. A glance left or right…