In order to involve the community more comprehensively through programming and services, BAM frequently collaborates with grassroots and community-based organizations. These community-based alliances foster diversity, inclusion, and growth.
AFRO-PUNK
BAMcinématek and Afro-Punk have developed a unique annual program for the Fourth of July Weekend that is unlike anything else in the city. The Afro-Punk Festival, which originated with a 2004 screening of James Spooner's documentary about the Afro-Punk music scene, takes a hard look at issues regarding race, class, politics and more, all under a structure of music, film, and revolution. The Afro-Punk Festival, co-curated by Spooner and his partner Matthew Morgan, has become one of BAM's best-attended annual programs, with young, diverse crowds coming from all over the city (and in some cases, around the country) for the festival.
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BEDFORD STUYVESANT RESTORATION CORPORATION
The Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation strives to be the catalyst for the progressive improvement of the quality of life for the people of Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn by utilizing every avenue available to foster growth and development through economic, cultural, educational and social ventures. Each spring, BAM works with at least 200 BSRC students ranging in age from six to eighteen years old. The curriculum for the program focuses on the music, arts, and ideas that have emerged from the culture of the visiting dance/music ensemble from Africa or the Diaspora for each DanceAfrica festival. Students can participate in intensive music and dance residencies after which they have the opportunity to join the BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble and participate in the mainstage DanceAfrica presentation.
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BROOKLYN COLLEGE
The expense of a college education—even at a public institution—often leaves little room for students to take advantage of cultural and educational opportunities outside the classroom. But now, under a new initiative funded by the City Council called the Borough as Classroom, Brooklyn College students will be able to attend exhibits and performances throughout Brooklyn for free or reduced admission. As part of this program, BAM offers group discounts of 50% on tickets.
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BROOKLYN PHILHARMONIC
One of the nation's groundbreaking music ensembles, Brooklyn Philharmonic is a vital presence in the cultural life of the New York metropolitan area. Devoted to bringing music to the entire Brooklyn community, the Philharmonic serves the borough's cultural and educational communities through partnerships with New York City's Department of Education, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, and BAM, among other organizations. Directed by Michael Christie, the Philharmonic is a frequent partner for mainstage productions at BAM.
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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN PARTNERSHIP
The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) is a not-for-profit local development corporation incorporated in the summer of 2006 in an effort to coordinate economic development activities in Downtown Brooklyn and ensure implementation of public and private development projects in the area.
The DBP incorporates the functions of four existing not-for-profit organizations providing economic development services within Downtown Brooklyn (Downtown Brooklyn Council, BAM Local Development Corporation, MetroTech Business Improvement District and Fulton Mall Improvement Association).
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JIM HENSON LEGACY
In November of 2004, The Jim Henson Legacy and BAM staged a program at BAM Rose Cinemas entitled Muppets, Music & Magic: Jim Henson's Legacy. This series, focusing on the film and video work of puppetry pioneer Jim Henson, quickly became one of the most successful series in BAM's history, selling out nearly every program and bringing in both family audiences and a wide group of audience members between the ages of 22—34. The program included not only 35mm films but also rare video excerpts, commercials, and experimental work from the private Henson archives, hosted by curators and performers.
Due to the success of this series and the tremendous interest in it from around the world, the Jim Henson Legacy and BAM have joined forces to produce a traveling version of this immensely popular series.
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MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE
Medgar Evers College co-presents BAM's annual tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This annual event, produced in cooperation with the office of the Brooklyn Borough Present and CUNY's Medgar Evers College, is New York City's largest celebration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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METROPOLITAN OPERA
BAM partners with the Metropolitan Opera to screen live HD broadcasts of its world class opera productions in the Rose Cinemas. The Los Angeles Times has said of this series, "The Met's experiment of merging film with live performance has created a new art form." The world-wide series reaches an estimated audience of more than 325,000 viewers.
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MYRTLE AVENUE REVITALIZATION PROJECT
As part of the Afro-Punk Festival, BAM hosts a block party in partnership with the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP). In addition, BAM, Afro Punk, and MARP partner to present the summertime Brooklyn Urban Arts Market featuring live music, 50 local and DIY artisans with fresh urban perspectives, and food from Myrtle Avenue restaurants.
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NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS
As part of the Eat, Drink, & Be Literary series, BAM and the National Book Awards host authors for literary evenings at BAMcafé.
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NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
BAM has partnered with New York University (NYU) to help increase students’ involvement in the New York and international artistic community by enabling them to see productions at BAM that are integrated into their academic and artistic education at NYU. The program provides free tickets to NYU students to see BAM productions; supplements their theater-going with workshops, lectures, or other educational programs to support the understanding of the work that they will see onstage; gives students direct access to some of the groundbreaking artists presented at BAM; and encourages a broad range of interactions among BAM artists, BAM staff, NYU students, and NYU faculty.
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PRATT INSTITUTE
Pratt Institute hosts the annual Senior Showcase, a day of free screenings of films by Pratt students, at BAM Rose Cinemas.
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651 ARTS
Based in the BAM Harvey Theater, 651 ARTS is a major developer, producer, and presenter of contemporary performing arts by black artists.
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SUNDANCE INSTITUTE
Dedicated year-round to the discovery and development of artists and audiences, Sundance Institute has grown into an internationally recognized resource for thousands of independent artists through the Sundance Film Festival and its artist development programs, which provide a range of support for narrative and documentary filmmakers, screenwriters, composers, and theater artists. Each spring, Sundance and BAM co-present the Sundance Institute at BAM series. Feature and short films are presented, including award winners from that year's Sundance Film Festival. The series also includes six nights of theater and music performances featuring work supported by Sundance Institute's theater and film music programs. Other programming highlights include lively post-screening discussions with filmmakers, a unique panel discussion with influential filmmakers, and a full day of short film screenings and discussions with Sundance Film Festival program directors. Highlights of the Festival's New Frontiers program, which includes experimental films and moving image installations, also are included in the Sundance Institute at BAM.
URBAN WORD
Urban Word NYC exists to ensure that New York City youth have a safe, supportive, dynamic, and challenging community in which to discover their powerful voices—through written and spoken word—and use them to express their views, strengthen self-esteem, and address the sociopolitical issues that affect them. BAM has presented preliminary rounds of Urban Word slams in BAMcafé and the finals in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. Performances by the slam winners have been presented in the BAMcafé.
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