Will the Pottery have to close for a period of time, and for how long? Can the building remain open and classes running during construction?

Yes. We have developed this project to be completed in phases while fundraising is ongoing. The first four phases can be completed in some manner while the building remains operational, but when we begin phase 5, the building will close. Closing the building is necessary so that the work can be carried out safely and expeditiously. Our architect and contractor estimates that a closure of 11-13 months will be necessary.

When will 16 Jones Street close?

We will make every effort not to close during terms and will give students as much notice as possible.  However, the timing of the closure is hard to know for sure at this point because so much is dependent on our fundraising efforts. We have ongoing dialogue with our project manager, architects, and engineers, so when the funds are raised, we will be able to mobilize fairly quickly. We don’t anticipate closing before Fall 2025.

Can there be more transparency about the budget for Greenwich House Pottery, separate from the financials that are available for Greenwich House, the umbrella organization?

Greenwich House's 990 tax forms are available to the public in accordance with IRS rules for 501c3 organizations. The specific program budgets are managed by staff and overseen by the Board of Directors and its various committees, Finance, Audit, Development, etc. More financial information is available on our website.

Can students have more input around operational decisions like what Cone-10 glazes will be available while only one gas kiln is operational?

Generally, decisions about which glazes are offered are informed by data on which glazes are most popular and used. However, this process is always iterative, and we will continue collecting and responding to student and faculty inputs.

Finally, we will strive to improve communication overall, and as such will schedule a Town Hall each term. We have brought back the Community Advisory Council, a group of students and faculty that represent various studios (wheel-throwing, handbuilding, and slipcasting) to offer regular feedback to our leadership team.

Who is on the Community Advisory Council?

The Council consists of 10 members, including a faculty member, a long-time student and a newer student from each of the disciplines taught at the Pottery, as well as some representatives who overlap in both studios and participate in programming such as children’s classes and outreach partnerships. They are as follows: Carol Adams, Nixon Beltran, Francesca Canin, Lisa Chicoyne, Francis  Coy, Aaron Hill, Liz Krisel, Hae Won Sohn, Gina Tibbott, and Jane Tucker.

When will the gas kilns be installed?

We are working with Blauuw kilns, an Amsterdam-based company, to construct two new custom-built, state-of-the-art kilns. Construction time for the kilns is 12-16 months after receipt of deposit, so we expect to receive them sometime around April – August 2025. The funds needed to complete this portion of the project are raised and earmarked for this purpose, so the installation will be prioritized upon delivery.

Can cosmetic changes be made in the short term, while funds are raised for the renovation and expansion?

There are several significant and more subtle space, lighting, and other cosmetic updates presently included in our capital project plan, and our aim has been to minimize any additional short-term cosmetic changes that would only have a short-term use. That said, we are committed to keeping these spaces functional and safe during the period of fundraising and staged work, so we have and will continue to spend operational revenue on matters of operational priority and need.

What will the project cost, and how are those costs broken down? 

The renovation and addition are projected to cost about $7.5 million.

Here’s a breakdown of those costs: