FERN STREET COMMUNITY ARTS INC

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Grant Year

2025-26

Grant Program

Arts and Youth

Award Amount

$18,000.00

Project Description

With support from the California Arts Council, FERN STREET COMMUNITY ARTS will provide free-of-charge opportunities for circus education and performance to historically underserved youth in City Heights, San Diego. Programming includes our year-round After-School Circus Program, Central Elementary Minimum Day Program, and Fern Street Family Services. Youth performance opportunities include the annual month-long Neighborhood Tour to parks in underserved neighborhoods and community-driven performances throughout the year. Through teaching and performing of circus arts, we seek to build vibrant, visible community, and enliven public spaces, with a primary focus on Creative Youth Development.

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.

Grantee Database