THE CONTEMPLATIVE COMMONS
Latest News
Kelly Crace Named Executive Director of the Contemplative Sciences Center
Crace will officially begin his new post in January 2025.
Title
UPDATES
The Contemplative Commons will be open during select hours for programming we are piloting in fall 2024. We are currently not accepting requests for space reservations and events as our team prepares for the public opening of the Commons April, 2025. Learn more.
ABOUT THE CONTEMPLATIVE COMMONS
The Contemplative Commons is dedicated to helping students and our communities flourish in all aspects of their lives. A new multipurpose building located in the heart of UVA Grounds between Bavaro Hall and the Dell Pond, the 57,000-square-foot building incorporates several new outdoor spaces, including contemplative gardens, a tree-lined courtyard, and a new green pedestrian bridge across Emmet Street. The Contemplative Commons is located at 403 Emmet Street South, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Supporting Well-being
The environment supports curated spaces and evidence-based programming intentionally created to help combat feelings of loneliness and depression and aims to help teach students how to rely upon contemplative practices and a sense of community to build resilience, promote belonging, and expand awareness.
Valued Partners
CSC works directly at the University of Virginia (UVA) and in collaboration with partners across Grounds on initiatives that combine contemplative and experiential learning as well as conducting multidisciplinary research across the University including the School of Medicine, the Brain Institute, and the Department of Music. We view contemplative learning as deeply experiential, holistic, and ecological.
Programming throughout the Contemplative Commons affords experiences to perceive the ways in which light and sound; music and movement; silence and stillness can support wellness.
Nature Integration
Innovative Spaces
The design includes a variety of flexible learning studios that can be configured for academic classes, quiet reflection, physical activity, or social interaction. The building will house academic activities and host extracurricular events, social gatherings, and local community engagements.
LEARN MORE
A First Look Inside the New Contemplative Commons
NBC29 Video: "The University of Virginia holds groundbreaking ceremony for the Contemplative Commons"
"University of Virginia Breaks Ground on Contemplative Commons"
"A Place to Learn & Flourish: It's Not Just a New Building"
"New Contemplative Commons Will Enable Collaboration, Experimentation"
The Contemplative Commons is funded in part by a $40 million lead gift from Paul and Sonia Jones, along with generous gifts from Jeffrey C. Walker, additional members of the Contemplative Sciences Center’s Advisory Board, and other donors. GIVE TO THE CONTEMPLATIVE COMMONS.