The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners have approved plans for a new African American Arts and Cultural Center (AAACC) in Tampa. The AAACC will be built at 2103 N. Rome Ave.
More about the AAACC in Tampa
The AAACC will be a two-story, 50,000-square-foot structure that consists of a range of public experience spaces, meeting spaces, galleries, labs, studios, event spaces, retail, and a café. On the exterior, the cultural center will feature an amphitheater, lawn space, sculptures, a ribbon trail, and multi-use gathering spaces. The facility is planned to be an active neighborhood hub open to residents seven days a week.
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The center will share the history and stories of African American communities and honor African diaspora through events, arts, and educational experiences. Each experience will emphasize the unique contributions that African American communities have made both in the Tampa Bay region and beyond.
See plans for the AAACC
The history of West Tampa
The future site of the AAACC, 2103 N. Rome Ave., is in West Tampa, which is one of the eight original African American neighborhoods in Tampa. West Tampa was an area that many African American families moved to for housing, homeownership, and developing businesses. The strong ties of the African American community continue in West Tampa today. According to the 2020 Census, the area has a 69% African American population living near the project site.
Over time, several of the original eight areas have been lost or reduced. Today, West Tampa remains a predominantly African American community; however, one with no anchor facility for the community to gather and celebrate the area’s unique history.
Learn more about the project
The design phase is currently underway, and construction is partially funded. The estimates for the facility cost is at $30 million, and fundraising initiatives are underway.
Also, Hillsborough County planners want to hear from the community! To learn more about the AAACC project and contribute feedback, please visit the African American Arts and Cultural Center Project online or attend one of three community meetings:
African American Arts and Cultural Center Community Meetings
Monday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m.
Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center
5725 S. 78th St.
Tampa, FL 33619
Wednesday, Nov. 1 at 6:30 p.m.
West Tampa Community Resource Center
2103 N. Rome Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
