Grantee Database
FERN STREET COMMUNITY ARTS INC
Grant Year
2025-26
Grant Program
General Operating Support
Award Amount
$12,600.00
Project Description
With support from the California Arts Council, Fern Street Community Arts (FSCA) will enhance its organizational infrastructure to meet community demand for its core programs. Grant funds will support salaries of key staff (Program Director, Operations Manager, and Social Work Educator) who ensure FSCA’s effectiveness, sustainability, and impact.
These leaders are vital to program delivery as well as responsible financial stewards who uphold strong governance, operational accountability, and people-centered practices. Their work reflects FSCA’s core values: investing in human potential, nurturing a cooperative community culture, and maintaining responsible, mission-driven operations.
FSCA’s initiative, Fern Street Circus (FSC)—offers free, year-round circus arts education and public performances, primarily in City Heights. This funding will support the essential infrastructure that enables artists to bring accessible, high-quality arts directly into the community, using circus for connection, learning, and joy.
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
