Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) appointed Amy Cassello as their new artistic director.
BAM President Gina Duncan said Cassello, an arts veteran and longtime BAM programmer, will continue to evolve BAM’s programming, according to a news release.
A programming veteran with a background in arts administration, Cassello has worked in development, marketing and publicity, and general management for the City of New Haven’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Arts & Ideas Festival, and Doug Elkins Dance Company before becoming general manager for Urban Bush Women where she went on to become executive director.
“I am excited to work with Gina and BAM leadership as we endeavor to find new, substantive ways to support art-making and the expansion of our audience base by incorporating more curatorial voices into our programming choices; maximizing connections within various departments including archives, film, education, community affairs, mainstage and BAMkids; and building our capability to offer commissioning support to New York-based artists and international projects,” said Cassello.
Cassello has helped develop the careers of nora chipaumire and Souleymane Badolo, among other independent choreographers.
She joined BAM in August 2012 in a newly created position as the associate producer for the Next Wave Festival. She was promoted to producer in 2018, became BAM’s associate artistic director in November 2020, and has served as interim artistic director since fall 2023.
“This is an exciting moment for BAM as we bridge our past with our future. Amy is a deep thinker who considers the needs of artists and arts workers at every turn. As a longstanding BAM programmer and creative producer, she intimately understands our role in the arts ecosystem. I could not have a better partner in leading BAM's artistic programming at this pivotal moment,” said Duncan.
BAM also announced that Tamara McCaw is their inaugural Mikki Shepard Curatorial Fellow. As a fellow, McCaw will research, plan, and implement programming and engagement practices that consider BAM's legacy, history, location and audiences.
McCaw begins her two-year fellowship on Jan 1, 2025.
