Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX)

For over three decades, Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) has stood as a beacon of artistic innovation and community engagement right here in Brooklyn, NY. Founded in 1991, BAX is far more than just a performing arts theater; it's a dynamic, multigenerational organization dedicated to nurturing creative expression and artistic process through a unique blend of education, artist residencies, and captivating performances. At its core, BAX operates at the vital intersection of arts and social justice, empowering artists and audiences alike to connect, transform, and envision a more equitable world.

BAX is truly an arts incubator, passionately supporting artists at every stage of their journey, from the youngest aspiring dancers and actors to seasoned, award-winning professionals. The organization is renowned for its focus on embodied practices, including dance, movement, theater, and multidisciplinary performance, always prioritizing experimentation, collaboration, and mentorship. What sets BAX apart is its unwavering commitment to creating "brave spaces," intentionally centering artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds and tirelessly working to build equity and access across all of its diverse programs. Whether you're seeking to ignite a passion for the performing arts, deepen your artistic practice, or experience groundbreaking performances that challenge and inspire, BAX offers a rich and welcoming environment for all New Yorkers.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) is strategically located at 421 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, placing it firmly in the vibrant Park Slope neighborhood. This central Brooklyn address ensures relatively easy access for many residents across the borough and beyond. For those relying on public transportation, the studio is well-connected. You can reach BAX via the F train to Fourth Avenue or the R train to 9th Street, both offering convenient subway options. Additionally, several bus routes, including the B75, B77, and B63, have stops at the corner of 9th Street and Fifth Avenue, putting you just a short walk away from the entrance. If you're driving, the location is accessible from major Brooklyn thoroughfares, though street parking can sometimes be challenging in Park Slope, so planning your journey in advance is always a good idea. It's important for locals to note that while the main building at 421 5th Avenue is a cornerstone of BAX's operations, it is housed on the second and third floors of a building that currently does not have elevator or ramp access. This means reaching the front desk, studios, and theater involves navigating several flights of stairs. BAX has acknowledged this limitation and is committed to long-term visions for greater accessibility at this site. In a significant step toward broader physical access, BAX has also expanded its footprint with the BAX Annex at 80 Hanson Place in Fort Greene. This Annex location is fully wheelchair accessible, with ground-floor access, an elevator, and ADA-compliant restrooms, offering expanded programming and reflecting BAX's dedication to increased inclusivity. This dual-location model ensures that BAX continues to serve a wide range of needs within the community, providing diverse options for participation.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) offers a comprehensive suite of services, designed to cater to artists, students, and the wider community, all rooted in their mission of arts and social justice.

• Arts Education for Youth: BAX provides a wide range of classes for children and teens, from toddlers to teenagers, in dance, creative movement, drama, and tumbling. These programs emphasize skill-building, creative expression, improvisation, collaboration, and community, with a focus on culturally inclusive and trauma-informed practices. Scholarship assistance and sliding-scale tuition are available to ensure accessibility.
• Artist Residencies (AIR Program): BAX nurtures a diverse array of dance, movement, theater, and multidisciplinary performance artists through structured residency programs. These residencies provide artists with space, mentorship, and financial support to develop innovative work, often intersecting with social justice initiatives.
• Practice Lab: This programmatic platform promotes artist-led initiatives focused on art and social justice. These intensive, cohort-based experiences prioritize mentorship, collaboration, and collective learning, often led by queer, disabled, and BIPOC artists. Programs like EmergeNYC (a Latinx-led incubator) and Drag Performance workshops are key components.
• Affordable Rehearsal Space: BAX offers subsidized rehearsal studio rentals to artists, providing much-needed affordable space for them to deepen their practices, explore new avenues, and expand their artistry.
• Performance Opportunities: BAX hosts year-round performances in its theater, showcasing new work by resident artists and youth programs, engaging diverse Brooklyn audiences. Examples include Drag Showcases and the YouthWorks Festival.
• School Partnerships: BAX extends its arts education into public, private, nursery, and charter schools through performing arts-based residencies (PreK-12), integrating creative dramatics, movement, and language into school curricula. They also offer professional development for teachers.
• Community Engagement & Events: BAX regularly hosts open houses, festivals, and community-centered events, inviting over 10,000 students, families, artists, and audiences annually to engage in shared creative journeys and build interconnected networks.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) stands out for several key features and highlights that underscore its unique position in the New York performing arts landscape.

• Social Justice Core: BAX is deeply committed to operating at the intersection of arts and social justice. Their mission explicitly states a focus on centering artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds and building equity and access across all programs, challenging narratives that perpetuate white supremacy, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism.
• Multigenerational Approach: Uniquely, BAX serves artists of "all ages and stages," from young children taking their first steps in creative movement to award-winning professional artists developing new works. This creates a vibrant, interconnected community where learning and mentorship flow both ways.
• Artist as Incubator: Unlike traditional presenting venues, BAX acts as an "arts incubator," focusing on nurturing and supporting artists' creative processes through residencies, affordable space, and collaborative labs, rather than solely showcasing finished works. This allows for risk-taking and experimentation.
• Dedicated to Embodied Practices: BAX specializes in dance, movement, theater, and multidisciplinary performance, recognizing the power of these forms to connect and transform individuals and communities.
• New Fully Accessible Annex: While the main 5th Avenue location has stair-only access, the recent opening of the BAX Annex at 80 Hanson Place provides a fully wheelchair-accessible space, significantly expanding their commitment to physical accessibility and inclusion for all.
• Affordable and Accessible Programming: BAX actively works to make its programs accessible, offering subsidized rehearsal space, scholarships for youth education (with over 40% of students receiving financial assistance), and prioritizing access regardless of ability to pay.
• Strong Community Focus: The organization fosters a strong sense of "dance family" and community, creating brave spaces where everyone feels welcome to be themselves, take risks, and grow. They are a true community asset that connects people.

For more information about programs, performances, or how to get involved with Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX), please use the contact details provided below:

Address: 421 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA

Phone: (718) 832-0018

Mobile Phone: +1 718-832-0018

For locals in New York, particularly those in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) is an indispensable resource and a truly suitable destination for a multitude of reasons. Firstly, its unwavering commitment to social justice and inclusion resonates deeply with New York's diverse population. BAX actively champions artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds, fostering a creative environment that is reflective of the city's rich tapestry of cultures, identities, and experiences. This means when you engage with BAX, you're not just supporting the arts; you're contributing to a more equitable and representative cultural landscape.

Secondly, BAX offers something for every age and interest within the performing arts. For families, the comprehensive youth education programs provide an incredible opportunity for children to explore dance, theater, and creative movement in a nurturing and non-competitive setting. With scholarship opportunities and a focus on creative expression, BAX ensures that quality arts education is accessible, helping to cultivate the next generation of New York artists and creative thinkers. Adults, whether aspiring professionals or those simply looking to explore their artistic side, benefit from the affordable rehearsal spaces, artist residencies, and unique Practice Lab initiatives that empower artistic development and foster collaboration within a supportive community.

Furthermore, the availability of two distinct locations, with the new BAX Annex at 80 Hanson Place offering full accessibility, demonstrates BAX's dedication to accommodating a wider audience. While the main Park Slope location offers a storied history and character, the Annex addresses crucial physical access needs, ensuring that more members of the New York community can participate in and benefit from BAX's programs. This commitment to accessibility, combined with their focus on affordability, makes BAX a truly community-oriented performing arts hub. Choosing BAX means supporting a local organization that not only presents and nurtures compelling artistic work but also actively builds a more just, connected, and vibrant New York through the transformative power of the performing arts.

Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX)

421 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215, USA