Organization Details:

The BAC's mission is to invigorate the people it serves with the joy and wonder of classical circus, through a unique shared experience at performances, in healthcare facilities and in the community.

Description and/or History:
The Big Apple Circus has introduced millions of American to the classical circus arts. Over the past 31 years, the Circus has pursued the vision of Founder and Artistic Director, Paul Binder, and Co-Founder and Creative Director, Michael Christensen, and grown into one of the country's most beloved and respected not-for-profit performing arts organizations,recognized by DCA, the NEA and NYSCA,with an annual budget of over $22 million. The BAC's mission is to invigorate the people it serves with the joy and wonder of classical circus, through a unique shared experience at performances, in healthcare facilities and in the community. The audience for its annual production exceeds 500,000 based on a 38-week national tour with engagements at Lincoln Center/Damrosch Park; Cunningham Park, Queens; and eight other locations.
In addition to the production, the Circus offers four ongoing outreach programs, with the goal of serving children and their caregivers who because of illness, economic adversity, and/or physical disadvantages, have little or no access to the arts. Clown Care brings the joy of the circus to hospitalized children, making 250,000 bedside visits annually at 19 sites nationwide; Circus of the Senses is presented 5 times a year for children with disabilities, assuring them a full theatrical experience; Circus After School, a youth development program, fosters artistic achievement and such life skills as teamwork, discipline, and commitment; Circus for All distributes free, subsidized and discounted performance tickets to 50,000 eligible youth every year. In 1977, Binder and Christensen established The NY School for Circus Arts as the first not-for-profit training program in the U.S. devoted to a new generation of artists. This commitment to education evolved into the tradition of creating a new show each year. It was soon joined by a recognition of the value of original, live music and a composer-in-residence in 1981, a practice which has continued ever since then, and the introduction of artists with diverse cultural backgrounds from all over the world. In 1982, Barry Lubin’s character, Grandma, debuted with the Circus, leading the way for a production storyline and a reappearing character that has provided artistic continuity. The Circus has an unwavering commitment to NYC as its home base, sustained by the annual Lincoln Center season, which started in 1980 and includes regular appearances and activities in all five boroughs.

Contact people:

Laura Srebnik, Mgr., Corp. & Gov't Relations, (646) 616-6841, (email) Steve Dennin, Vice President For Development, (646) 616-6834, (email) Judy Leventhal, Chief Financial Officer, (646) 616-6809, (email)

Address:

505 8th Avenue, 19th Floor New York, NY 10018 (See a map)

Directions:

Our office is located at the corner of 8th Avenue and West35th Street in Manhattan. It is the 34th Street, Penn Station stop on the A, E and C subway lines (exit at 35th and 8th), the 1,2,3 lines. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 34th Street, Penn Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5