R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts

The R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts provides Pre-K to 8th grade students the opportunity to develop their skills through the performing arts. The school develops the students utilizing Reggio Emilia guiding principles. This philosophy integrates graphic arts as a means to develop a child socially, linguistically, and cognitively through a broad variety of hands-on experiences.

R.J. Kinsella Magnet School was Downes’ first complex project as Construction Manager for the City of Hartford. The project consisted of a complete renovation of approximately 74,000 sf of the existing facility built in 1974 and a considerable 33,000 sf addition. The project faced serious schedule and budget challenges. The Downes staff was successful in overcoming these challenges and provided the City of Hartford a modern, educational facility that met their program needs, on time and within budget.