Historic Main House Renovation

In 2014, the Hind Foundation awarded a $1,000,000 grant to the Music Academy of the West to support the renovation of its Historic Main House on the world-renowned Music Academy campus in Santa Barbara, California. The Historic Main House project marks the third and final phase of the Academy’s transformative campus renovation plan. Renovation work includes internal seismic retrofit; renovation of outdated electrical and plumbing infrastructure; reconfiguration and renovation of administrative workspaces to improve functionality and efficiency; renovation of Baja Studios, a defunct suite of practice studios in the basement of the Main House; and period restoration of doors, windows, walls, and fixtures.

Noteworthy Outcomes


•    Preserving Historical Character
As with the design and construction of the first two phases of the renovation, this project is undertaken with an eye towards the historic character of the building while ensuring it is ready to serve the Academy, and its constituencies, for the next 100 years.

•    Transforming Experiences
The transformation of the Historic Main House will significantly improve the building’s physical infrastructure and functionality and enhance the experiences of the 140 Fellows who attend the Music Academy every summer.