From left to right: Rylee Grover, Addi VonWowern and Destiny Overholt practice a contortion routine, taken by John Jones

The Circus Arts Conservatory recently received an Arts Appreciation Grant of $30,000 from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The grant will support the CAC’s 2021-2022 events and performance season, which includes the October CAC Legacy Society Lunch, January Circus Arts Gala, March CenterRing Society Dinner, and the Sailor Circus Holiday and Spring shows. This is the first Arts Appreciation Grant the CAC has been awarded by Gulf Coast. Gulf Coast's Arts Appreciation Grants offer unrestricted funding to cornerstone arts organizations in recognition of their contributions to our region's economy and quality of life and to further their missions. Currently, thousands of children are studying and engaging in the circus arts. The CAC’s Circus Magnet Programs for Booker Middle School, for which enrollment has doubled in its second year, and Sarasota High School, which is in its third year, teach students life skills as well as the circus arts. Programming is inclusive and age-appropriate. The Sailor Circus Academy – which claims the title “The Greatest Little Show on Earth” – is recognized nationally as the only circus school that also offers professional performances.

The CAC has conservative but optimistic plans for in-person attendance at its 2021-2022 events and shows, with virtual backup as warranted by ever-evolving COVID-19 safety guidelines. Since last year, the CAC has instituted and adhered to rigorous COVID-19 protocols that include required masking, social distancing standards, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of facilities, staff health screenings, reduced seating capacities, and more.

For more about the CAC or its upcoming season, call 941-355-9805 or visit circusarts.org.

From left to right: Rylee Grover, Addi VonWowern and Destiny Overholt practice a contortion routine, taken by John Jones