The original 1861 Brooklyn Academy of Music building was destroyed by fire in 1903.
BAM's Harvey Theater retains its 'distressed' aesthetic from a 1980s renovation, leaving exposed brick and peeling paint as a stylistic choice.
The institution has hosted world premieres by artists like Philip Glass, Laurie Anderson, and Pina Bausch.
The BAM Rose Cinemas, opened in 1998, was the first movie theater built in Brooklyn in over 50 years.
The academy was originally founded as a place for the Brooklyn Philharmonic and the Brooklyn Opera to perform.
The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a multi-arts center in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, recognized as the oldest performing arts institution in the United States. It operates across multiple venues, including the 2,100-seat Howard Gilman Opera House and the Harvey Theater, a preserved 'shabby-chic' space. The institution programs a mix of contemporary dance, theater, music, opera, and independent cinema. It serves as a central hub for the Next Wave Festival, which showcases avant-garde and experimental performance art. The complex is housed in two primary structures: the historic Peter Jay Sharp Building and the modern BAM Rose Cinemas. Visitors can access a dedicated archives collection that documents the institution's history since its founding in 1861. BAM maintains a consistent year-round calendar of rotating multidisciplinary exhibitions and live performances.
The marquee-lined entrance on Lafayette Avenue at dusk.
Book tickets well in advance for Next Wave Festival performances, as they frequently sell out.
Check the BAM Rose Cinemas schedule for curated independent films that often include Q&A sessions with directors.
Arrive early to explore the lobby art installations and grab a drink at the on-site bar before showtime.
Do not assume all performances occur in the same building; check your ticket carefully to see if your event is at the Opera House or the Harvey Theater.
The complex operates year-round, though individual theater spaces occasionally close for technical installation between productions.
Business casual is standard for evening performances; phones must be silenced during all live shows.
