Capital Expansion

Since its 2004 co-location in the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (CMP), SLB has operated from a 348 sq. ft. broadcast studio suite. When it opened, it was an all-volunteer operation with a budget of about $30,000 and hands-on service to about 100 youth annually. Fifteen years later, it employs a staff of 10, has a budget of nearly $800,000, and provides direct services to 5,000 youth each year. Because it has not expanded its studio since its launch, it often uses conference rooms, offsite classrooms, and other less-appropriate spaces to manage demand. The expansion is long overdue and will allow SLB to provide youth with a more engaging learning environment and better access to equipment and staff. In preparation for the current expansion, SLB has spent the past several years benchmarking peer facilities throughout the country, and prototyping programs.

The new space, in a non-ticketed part of CMP, will include two professionally equipped broadcast studio suites (including the suite it currently uses) and a flexible multimedia lab. All facilities will be accessible to on-campus organizations, including two Head Start classrooms and Manchester Academic Charter School. SLB will also serve other organizations within walking distance of the campus as well as the greater Pittsburgh community.

Project Goals

• By doubling the available studio space and creating an adjacent, fully-equipped media lab, SLB will be able to increase the number of youth it introduces to these real world systems as well as the depth of programs it can offer to older learners.
• It will provide upgraded audio mixing and control systems for live and prerecorded performances, as well as interconnectivity to the existing studio suite.
• It will provide additional space for recording music and podcasts during more flexible hours. This will allow SLB to deliver arts and culture to communities and neighborhoods that have been underserved.