Brooklyn Academy of Music

1861 - present

The Brooklyn Academy of Music was founded in 1861 by a group of Brooklyn socialites called the Philharmonic Society. The initial building was located in Brooklyn Heights. The Academy quickly became a cultural center, serving as a space for residents to be introduced to international musical performers, and host social gatherings. In November of 1903, the Academy burned down. Borough President of Brooklyn Martin W. Littleton helped spearhead the construction of a new, larger replacement for the Academy, now located in Fort Greene. The rebuilt Academy opened in 1908, with more space for various arts activities, including concerts, theater performances, and community events. The Academy continues to offer various arts performances and educational services in the present day.

View Gallery

Details

Category
Other
Audience
Adults
Founder(s)
The Philharmonic Society, wealthy socialities in Brooklyn. When it was redone, Martin W. Littleton, Borough President of Brooklyn directed rebuilding.
Tags
arts
Notes
Performance venue and performing arts academy

Location

  • 31 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217, USA
    1908 - present
  • 176 Montague St, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
    1861 - 1903

Archival Collections

References

  1. Pogrebin, Robin. “The Brooklyn Academy of Music Is Fighting to Regain Its Mojo.” The New York Times, March 25, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/arts/bam-brooklyn-academy-of-music.html.
  2. Parisi, Barbara. "The History of Brooklyn's Three Major Performing Arts Institutions: The Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College and St. Ann's Center for Restoration and the Arts, Inc." PhD diss., New York University, 1991. ProQuest (9124750): 32-107. https://tc.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/history-brooklyns-three-major-performing-arts/docview/303921365/se-2.
  3. “New Academy of Music: Formal Opening of Brooklyn's $1,300,000 Structure.” New York Tribune (1900-1910), Sep 17, 1908; ProQuest.
  4. Baum, Marlyn V. “The Brooklyn Academy of Music: A Case Study Of The Rebirth of an Urban Cultural Center (New York).” PhD diss., The City University of New York, 1983. ProQuest (8319743): 17-39. https://www.proquest.com/docview/303132137/fulltextPDF?%20Theses&parentSessionId=ZNg8GzXA%2Fmq0hcDxfNKoJareQaJEEMLeEgfBMlBpagw%3D&pq-origsite=primo&sourcetype=Dissertations%20