Grantee Database
FERN STREET COMMUNITY ARTS INC
Grant Year
2024-25
Grant Program
Impact Projects
Award Amount
$20,832.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, FERN STREET COMMUNITY ARTS (FSCA) will bring live circus and community resources to residents at City parks in underserved communities.
Each year FSCA creates a mobile circus show that entertains and uplifts San Diego’s most diverse and historically underserved neighborhoods.
The Tour brings residents a free-of-charge circus production with live music, professional artists from around the world, student performers and a truck & trailer set painted by a noted San Diego street artist, Surge.
Each spring, the Circus plays parks in San Diego’s Mid-City including FSCA’s home City Heights neighborhood and parks in southern San Diego and San Ysidro, the part of the city nearest the border with Mexico.
Fern Street Circus shows are rooted in community engagement on every level and are built through strong community partnerships.
Organization Summary
Founded in 1990, Fern Street Circus (FSC) has built a legacy of circus in San Diego through a series of annual shows in Balboa Park, Golden Hill, City Heights, and in neighborhoods across San Diego County.
EDUCATION. FSC’s education programs focus on serving communities mostly through City recreation centers. At Mid-City Gym in City Heights, we teach low-income youth free-of-charge, emphasizing skill building, conditioning, team work and cultural understanding.
PERFORMANCE. Known for creating performances with a playful sense of place, the Circus mixes adult professionals with after-school students. Anchor elements include live music; sets conceived and built by locally known visual artists; and a bi-lingual, non-linear narrative.
FSC’s Neighborhood Tour takes place each spring, with free shows in Mid-City San Diego neighborhood parks.
COMMUNITY. The Circus is resident in City Heights, interacting daily with and supporting activists and their constituents from around the world. In September 2023, FSCA moved into a recently vacated elementary school in City Heights, Central. At the former Central campus, FSCA has a 2,500 square foot gym with wood floors,, 20′ ceiling, natural light and a stage, as well as 4 classrooms for training, storage and an office. This is FSCA’s first-ever dedicated indoor space.
Fern Street Community Arts was named Live Well San Diego’s Central Region “Public Health Champion” of 2025.
Organization
Fern Street Circus
Address
4063 Polk Ave
San Diego
92105-1436
County
San Diego
Region
Far South
Phone
(619) 320-2055
Congressional District
52nd congressional district of California
State Assembly District
District 79
State Senate District
District 39
