Organization Details:

The Bronx Arts Ensemble is a not-for-profit music organization serving and enriching the cultural environment of the diverse communities of the Bronx, providing music education and performances of the highest professional standard.

Description and/or History:
Founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1975, the Bronx Arts Ensemble is the premier professional music organization serving the borough. Employing some of New York's finest freelance musicians through its contract with the Local 802 American Federation of Musicians union, the BAE commands the respect of the music world for its high artistic standards, innovative programming, and acclaimed recordings, as well as its distinguished history of service and commitment to the Bronx, which is now recognized by the US Census Bureau as the most diverse area in the country.

The BAE serves its community with programs that reflect the Bronx's many cultures, encompassing traditional chamber and orchestral concerts as well as children’s programming, new music, jazz and Dixieland, and appearances by such renowned guest artists as John Corigliano, Paquito D'Rivera, Guillermo Figueroa, Dave Valentin and jazz pianist Valerie Capers.

BAE performs in locations throughout the Bronx, including universities, concert halls and parks. By performing in venues such as Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture, The New York Botanical Garden, Lehman College, Pregones Theater, Orchard Beach and Van Cortlandt Park, among others, the BAE sustains its commitment to community residents by bringing performances directly to local neighborhoods, community centers and schools which might not otherwise have access to these programs - frequently free of charge or at reduced fees. On average, the Bronx Arts Ensemble performs over 100 programs annually throughout the borough to over 50,000 people from the Bronx, Manhattan, and surrounding areas whose audiences reflect the ethnic, cultural and socio-economic diversity of the area.

BAE has received numerous citations for excellence and community service, most notably the New York City Arts & Business Council Encore Award, the C. Michael Paul Foundation Award from Chamber Music America, and proclamations from the Bronx Borough President for outstanding service to the people of the Bronx.

The Bronx Arts Ensemble has built upon its rich performance base to develop customized Arts-in-Education programs that have served over 50,000 Bronx area students since 1993. The AIE programs developed by the Ensemble are carried out in collaboration with local schools, with the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development through their Out-of-School Time (OST), Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) and Neighborhood Development Area (NDA) programs and with regional school districts, and serve students in grades K through 12. BAE currently has AIE programs in 55 NYC schools.

Contact person: Susan Fishman-Klopman, Office Manager, (718) 601-7399, (email)

Address:

80 Van Cortlandt Park South Suite 7D-1 Bronx, NY 10463 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: 1/242nd, 4/Woodlawn,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15   Nearest Bus Stop: Bx1 or Bx10/Sedgewick at Hillman, 5 minute walk