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Popular local arts organization elevates Jennifer Mitchell to top leadership role, lays out future vision for its work in the region

SARASOTA, FL – As The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) enters its exciting 2024-2025 season of performance programming, the CAC Board of Directors has announced the promotion of Jennifer Mitchell to the role of CEO & President. The long-planned leadership transition comes amidst other significant changes for the popular nonprofit arts organization.

Mitchell has served as the CAC’s Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) for over a decade. During her total 16-year tenure with the CAC, she has worked closely with the Founders, Pedro Reis and Dolly Jacobs, and cohesively with the Board of Directors to help the organization function optimally, advance its mission, and maximize its growth and success.

She joined the CAC in 2008 – when it was known as Circus Sarasota – as the Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator, helping to build a qualified and effective marketing department for the nonprofit. In her role as Executive VP & COO, she has been responsible for overseeing the day-to-day activities, managing resources, and implementing processes to ensure the organization runs smoothly and efficiently.

Achievements over the course of her tenure have included: the acquisition of the Sailor Circus in 2011, which led to the birth of The Circus Arts Conservatory in 2013 after a yearlong brand study; a collaborative partnership for the CIRCUS programming presented at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2017 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; completion of the $5M renovation campaign to air-condition and modernize the Sailor Circus Arena; serving as lead strategist in implementing innovative education programs such as the Sarasota High and Booker Middle School circus magnet programs; and the negotiation of a 99-year lease for the CAC campus with the Sarasota County School Board.

Mitchell’s connection with the CAC is deeply personal as well: her daughter, Emma Clarke, trained for over a decade with the Sailor Circus Academy. She was featured as the youngest performer at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 2017 and now performs professionally as an aerialist. Earlier this year, Clarke was recognized with the coveted 2024 Next Generation Award by the Ring of Fame Foundation.

​​”Our Board knows that, in Jennifer, there is a deep knowledge of our mission and clear passion for our work in the circus arts,” said Board Chair Shari Ashman. “She is a highly effective leader with proven ability to consistently position CAC for success as a rapidly-evolving organization. We look forward to Jennifer spearheading CAC’s future vision, legacy and growth.”

“Jennifer is very highly regarded in the circus arts world and local communities, and her passion and knowledge of the CAC’s business model, educational programming, and community outreach is unsurpassed,” added Reis.

The CAC has also moved to new corporate administration offices. In June of this past summer, the CAC campus suffered a flash flood, followed by additional damaging floods from three hurricanes. While a complete site review of campus structural needs is underway, the CAC’s administrative team has moved to a flagship professional administrative office at SouthState Bank, located at the corner of Bahia Vista and U.S. 41, near the Sailor Circus Arena. These updated offices provide CAC the ability to grow its management, artistic, outreach programming, partnership, and development roles.

The CAC’s founders, Reis and Jacobs, who created the organization, will continue to provide guidance and support, contributing to the innovation, brand recognition, and future growth of the CAC. They will continue to devote their energies to presenting the circus arts at the highest level, teaching and sharing the circus arts with area youth, all while honoring and preserving the circus heritage that is so unique and treasured in our community.

As a well-respected NEA Fellow, Jacobs will continue to share her knowledge of and experience in the circus arts and serve as a global ambassador representing both the CAC and her circus heritage. She will also continue to share her aerial knowledge, mentoring and training the CAC’s students in the circus arts.

Reis, who is highly regarded as a circus producer, will advise the CAC at an executive level and direct artistic endeavors and productions, bringing new initiatives such as a circus festival in Southwest Florida to life.

In the last fiscal year, the CAC proudly presented 250 performances to approximately 117,000 audience members; educated 9,000 students across 45 schools and five counties in Florida; trained more than 120 year-round student circus athletes through the Sailor Circus Academy, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and is the nation’s longest-running youth circus training program; mentored 110 in-school circus students through magnet programs; engaged over 1,000 summer campers; and impacted the lives of over 750 recreational students through classes and workshops. The CAC contributes millions in economic impact to our region annually.