Mid-America Circus Center

a new house for Kinetic Tapestry

Enlarging our Tent: Transforming Lives through Circus Arts.

At Kinetic Tapestry, we believe in the power of the circus arts to transform lives. For over 15 years, we have been inspiring, teaching, and creating a supportive community for aspiring circus performers of all ages. Since 2014, approximately 60,000 audience members have witnessed our shows both in the US and on international stages.

We are thrilled to launch a bold new chapter in our journey with a vision to build a new state-of-the-art, custom-designed circus school facility in Missouri that will enhance the artistry, education, and impact of our students and the broader community.

Every day at Kinetic Tapestry, we experience first-hand the power of circus arts to transform lives, especially the lives of children. Young performers in the circus arts have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons in courage, poise, leadership, and teamwork.

This new facility will lay the foundation for Kinetic Tapestry to become a regional and national preferred and reliable destination-- a destination of choice--for experiencing world-class training for students and "would-be" artists, as well as others to experience something that is far removed from everyday life. All of this done in an uplifting atmosphere of fun and pure joy!

We invite you to be part of this exciting endeavor, to help us create a world-class training environment where students can flourish, artists can thrive, and audiences can experience the magic of the circus arts like never before.

Our vision

Our new facility will be more than just a building. It will be the anchor, the central component for all activities of Kinetic Tapestry and associated ventures. It will be a place where creativity and skill converge to unlock people's potential. It will provide a safe, inspiring, and professionally equipped space for students to train, learn, and perform. With your support, we will be able to:

Expand our training capabilities: The new space will feature specialized training areas with high ceilings for aerial work, expansive rehearsal spaces, strength and conditioning rooms, and areas dedicated to acrobatics, juggling, unicycle, partner acrobatics, German wheel, and more.

Provide performance opportunities: We will create an intimate performance space that will allow students to showcase their work and perform for the community, as well as host guest artists and international acts.
Promote circus education, experience and outreach: The new facility will help us offer more programming to schools in underserved communities. Each year, we lead an average of six free and/or low cost programs for schools in the St. Louis area. We aim to cultivate a love for the circus arts among young people and inspire the next generation of performers to find purpose for their talents.

Provide a way to expand the impact of circus arts with a physical location: As one of only 2 circus arts schools in the St. Louis area, we will provide an enhanced working space for regional and national events that support the mission and vision of Kinetic Tapestry.

Why a New Facility?

Currently, our facility hosts:

150+ weekly participants, ranging from young children to older adults.
70+ weekly activities, including classes, workshops and private lessons that include juggling, aerial arts, tumbling and unicycling.
2-3 performances per year, which routinely sell out.

Our existing space is constrained by size at 1,000 square feet, outdated infrastructure, and a lack of specialized areas for circus training. Several of our child-centered classes have a waitlist. As our program continues to grow and the demand for circus education increases, we face limitations that hinder our ability to fully serve our community and expand to a regional and national venue.

Kinetic Tapestry’s programs are dependent upon state-of-the-art facilities. Aspiring professionals simply cannot develop the expertise they seek without maximum ceiling heights, top-quality equipment, and around-the-clock access to practice sites.

The new building will be 10,000 sq. ft. including a space for circus arts training and performances, plus administrative offices, lobby and reception. It will have a ceiling height of almost 40 ft. so professionals can come to St. Louis to train and share their knowledge and creativity with local students. A large indoor space with a high ceiling will also be able to accommodate specialized training for other professions such as first responders requiring practice for high risk rescues at-height.

A new, dedicated building will allow us to:

Offer specialized programs: By having dedicated spaces for aerial, acrobatic, and juggling training, we can offer more advanced courses and classes that meet the evolving needs of students. It will allow year-round, indoor flying trapeze training, the only such space in St. Louis and Missouri.
Accommodate growing demand: Since our foundation we have had over 750 students who regularly register for classes. Our enrollment has increased steadily. In our last fiscal year, we had 163 students and 70% of them registered for more than one session of classes throughout the year. Our current facility cannot accommodate more students without sacrificing quality. With a larger space, we can offer more and specialized classes in different circus disciplines, hold multiple classes at the same time, and serve more students of all ages and abilities.
Foster a creative community: The new space will become a cultural hub for the circus arts in Missouri, attracting top-tier instructors, artists, and performers from around the world. It will be a place for collaboration, innovation, and artistic development that will enrich both the school and the wider community. We currently offer professional workshops with out-of-town instructors in a diverse array of circus disciplines and we plan to continue expanding that opportunity.

Impact in the community

The new circus school will not only benefit our students but will also have a lasting impact on the community:

Economic Growth: A vibrant circus school attracts tourism and local business, especially with performances, events, and workshops that bring people to the area. As a witness to this, we have had students from Georgia, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas who exclusively come to St. Louis to take workshops or private classes with Kinetic Tapestry.
Cultural Enrichment: Circus arts are an essential part of our cultural fabric, blending performance, storytelling, and athleticism. This facility will create more opportunities for local residents to experience and engage with the circus arts.
Youth Development: Through our educational outreach, we will provide young people with the opportunity to develop physical, emotional, and social skills through circus training. The discipline, teamwork, and creativity learned in circus training will help young people thrive in all aspects of life.
Reaching all our communities: St. Louis has a rich history of attracting many people groups from all over the world. We have had students from Brazil, Colombia, Israel, Puerto Rico, among others Our intent is to offer an accessible and rewarding experience for everyone of these groups. We are committed to making circus arts accessible to people from all backgrounds. Our new space will enable us to provide scholarships, free community programs, and outreach opportunities for underserved populations.

Funding Goal

The total cost to build the new circus school facility is estimated at $3.7 million. To ensure the project’s success, we need your support.

$400,000 – Land/building acquisition and site preparation
$2.5 million – Design and Construction of the building and interior spaces
$750,000 – Equipment, training tools, and performance setups

We are seeking to raise $3.7 million through a combination of major gifts, corporate sponsorships, and individual donations. Every contribution, no matter the size, will help bring this vision of transforming lives to life.

How You Can Help:

Make a Donation: Your financial gift, whether large or small, will directly support the construction of the new building. Contributions can be made as a one-time donation or over a period of time to suit your needs.

Donor Advised Funds or other Qualified Charitable Distributions: We will work with you to make a charitable donation of investments that is mutually beneficial.

Corporate Sponsorship: We are offering a range of naming opportunities for individuals and businesses who wish to make a significant impact, such as naming training rooms, performance spaces, or key areas of the building.

Invite Us to Perform for Your Charity: We want to extend a special offer to our donors to provide a complementary performance for your favorite charity.

In-Kind Donations: We are also seeking in-kind donations of materials, services, or expertise. If you have a connection to builders, or suppliers, your support in kind can make a huge difference.

Spread the Word: Help us by sharing our vision with your network. Whether it's through social media, word-of-mouth, or hosting a small gathering to raise awareness, every conversation helps us get closer to our goal.

Donor Recognition:

As a donor, you will be acknowledged in a variety of ways. We will recognize your generosity on our website, at events, and within the new building itself. Opportunities include:

Naming Rights: For larger gifts, we are offering the chance to name key parts of the facility, such as the performance space, training rooms, or lounge areas.
Donor Wall: All major donors will be honored on a dedicated donor wall inside the new facility.
Exclusive Invitations: Top donors will be invited to special events, such as the grand opening, private tours, and receptions.

Join Us in Making History:

This new circus school endeavor represents an exciting opportunity to elevate the circus arts and ensure the growth and success of our programs for years to come. With your support, we can create an environment that inspires the next generation of circus performers and continues to enrich the community.

Together, we will create an atmosphere where creativity, skill, and artistry come to life—and where the circus will continue to thrive for generations to come.

For more information, contact:
Jaime Zayas, Executive Director
jaime@kinetictapestry.org