Midnight Circus Stands With Black Lives Matter

This is not a controversial statement. It is the truth. Black Lives Matter.

Since Midnight Circus in the Parks founding in 2007 our mission has been one of community empowerment and access to the arts for every child and family in Chicago, regardless of race or socioeconomic status. Midnight Circus in the Parks is unwavering in our efforts to make sure the circus is accessible to communities across Chicago, not only logistically but also financially.

The circus belongs to everyone- all ages, races, religions and sexual orientations. Art should be a representation of all communities and the audience shouldn’t be limited to the privileged.

Make no mistake— Midnight Circus would not be able to bring the circus to all of Chicago without the tireless work of individuals and organizations in Black and Brown communities. Hosting the circus for a weekend is no small feat— it requires months of planning, organizing, preparation and community outreach. Chicago as a city, is fractured and segregated from a history of discriminatory politics. Despite these neighborhoods being underfunded, under-resourced, and discriminated against for generations, the community leaders and volunteers we are lucky enough to partner with always find a way to give back, which includes hosting the circus in their local park.

Accessibility and inclusion are hallmarks of our mission. From the very beginning, Midnight Circus in the Parks has featured Black and Brown artists in our ring and on our creative and logistics teams, but we can do better. Going forward we will dedicate more resources to seeking out artists, creatives, and crew members of color so Midnight Circus in the Parks better reflects all the communities we play.

We stand with those in the streets who are raising their voices against police brutality and pushing the needle towards justice and social reform. Our artists, crew members, and Executive & Artistic Directors are in the streets in solidarity. We are also acutely aware that we have much to learn and more to do to become better allies in the fight against systems of oppression.

We are grateful to the activists, community organizers and organizations that have welcomed us and partnered with us over the last 13 years, and we encourage you to visit their sites, learn about their work and if you are able, donate to their cause:

MASK- Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killing, RAGE- Resident Association of Greater Englewood, BPNC -Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, Chicago Boyz Acrobatic Team, Moms Demand Action, and the Gary Comer Youth Center.

And a thank you to these incredible Park Advisory Councils who constantly show up for their community: Foster Park Advisory Council, Hamilton Park Advisory Council, McKinley Park Advisory Council, Kelly Park Advisory Council, Garfield Park Advisory Council, Grand Crossing Park Advisory, Douglass Park Advisory Council, Ogden Park Advisory Council, and Gately Park Advisory Council.

#BlackLivesMatter