Idaho Fine Arts Academy Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

March 2, 2022 
3:30 p.m.
915 E Central Drive, Meridian

We want to thank the taxpayers for their continued support of the West Ada School District. Tours will be available after the event. 

EVENT INFORMATION:

• Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance 

• Principal's Message – Chris Housel, Principal of IFAA

• Message from Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub

• Mayor's Message - Mayor Simison, City of Meridian

• Student message and performance

• Parent/PTO Message - Casey Byington    

• Message from Meridian Chamber of Commerce

• Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

West Ada School District (WASD) began construction on the Idaho Fine Arts Academy in July of 2020 thanks to the passage of the March 2018 School Bond authorizing Phase one of the new Idaho Fine Arts Academy in Meridian.  In the middle of its seventh year of operation, The Idaho Fine Arts Academy moved its entire school from its previous location in Eagle to its new facility in Meridian.  The last day of school at the old facility was on Thursday, January 27 and the first day of school in the new facility was on January 31, 2022.   

The Idaho Fine Arts Academy (IFAA) is in the city of Meridian and sits on East Central Drive, just west of the West Ada School District Service Center and Renaissance High School.  The construction of this audition-based performing arts middle and high school will allow for an additional 220 students to join the currently enrolled 220 students for a total enrollment of 440 students when phase II is complete in 2024.  The new IFAA, or “IFAA 2.0” is a state-of-the-art facility that serves students in grades six through twelve under the leadership of Principal, Christian Housel.

IFAA is an established public “school of choice” in the West Ada School District and is in its seventh year of operation and serves students in grades 6-12. IFAA’s mascot is inspired by the nine muses of Greek mythology and we are known as “The Muses”.  In modern figurative usage, a Muse is considered a source of artistic inspiration. The Idaho Fine Arts Academy offers preprofessional training in dance, classical instrumental music, contemporary instrumental music, vocal music, theater, and visual arts while offering rigorous college preparatory academics and service-learning opportunities for its students.    

The Idaho Fine Arts Academy’s new campus is a one-of-a-kind experience, bringing together students and families from all over the West Ada School District to build a foundation for generations to come. The building design was created by Hummel Architects and the construction of the facility was completed by Kreizenbeck Constructors. The new facility is intimate, yet spacious, and built for the arts and rigorous academics.  The students, faculty, staff, and families of the West Ada School District deserve a space dedicated to arts education and a place for students to pursue their creative passion and develop their talents at the highest level.    The West Ada School District is extremely thankful to the local taxpayers and voters who helped make this dream a reality, creating the next West Ada legacy – The Idaho Fine Arts Academy.   

Facts and Features of The Idaho Fine Arts Academy:

• Principal – Christian Housel

• Opening date in New Facility: January 31, 2022

• School Colors: maroon and yellow

• Acreage – 18 +/- acres

• Square footage – 42,000 +/- square feet

• Academic Facilities:

  • 12 classrooms

  • 1 special education classroom

  • 1 science lab

  • 1 computer lab

  • 1 Library & media center

• Fine Arts & Special Facilities

  • 2 art studios

  • 2 dance studios

  • 3 acoustically rated music classrooms

  • 12 acoustically rated individual music practices

  • An experimental “Black Box Theater”

  • New recording studio

  • "The Commons" social center and cafeteria

Those interested in more information about The Idaho Fine Arts Academy can stay informed by following the school on social media: Follow, Like, and Share

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/idahofineartsacad/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/idahofineartsacad/

Twitter https://mobile.twitter.com/idahofinearts

Website:  Idaho Fine Arts Academy / Homepage (westada.org)

I am beyond humbled to serve as the principal of this amazing school, The Idaho Fine Arts Academy. I have been with West Ada for 28 years as a teacher and administrator and here at the Idaho Fine Arts Academy since 2015. This is my 22nd year as a school administrator. It has been a labor of love to help design and build the first audition-based performing arts school in the state of Idaho from the ground up. This was just a vision six years ago, and now, it is a beautiful reality! We have an all-star team of administrators, teachers and staff who continue to bring energy and excitement to our classrooms and performance spaces every day! It was such a joy to see our students flooding into our school on the first day, January 31. I am so grateful for the continued support of our students, parents, staff, school district, and school board. I can’t wait for phase II to begin!

Principal, Christian Housel