December 15, 2020
Recent grants are making the circus arts safer
Categories: BELONGING AND CULTURE: Cultural Development & the Arts, Grants, Nonprofits,
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) has been exploring new and innovative ways to move forward with an exciting season, to bring the joy of live performance to patrons of all ages and maintain its mission of community outreach. Thanks to funding from area community foundations and Manatee County, the CAC has been able to supplement health and safety measures at its Sailor Circus Arena to ensure that the show will go on – with safety as its top priority.
The CAC received grants of $10,000 each from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and Gulf Coast Community Foundation to pay for the addition of a state-of-the-art air purifying ionization system to the HVAC system in the Sailor Circus Arena. This system, which is from Global Plasma Solutions, will reduce airborne particles, kill pathogens (including COVID-19), neutralize odors, and create a more environmentally-friendly atmosphere while reducing energy use and associated costs. The organization also received two $5,000 grants – one for sanitation supplies, the other for personal protective equipment (PPE) – through Manatee County CARES Act funding.
"In a community like ours where the circus legacy runs deep, the show must go on even during unexpected intermissions," says Roxie Jerde, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. "To keep the joy of the circus alive and thriving, we are proud to support The Circus Arts Conservatory in their efforts to thoughtfully innovate performances so when audiences of all ages take their seats this upcoming season they can feel safe, healthy, and as dazzled as ever under the big top."