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Coney Island USA
Nonprofit arts organization From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Coney Island USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization founded in 1980 that is dedicated to the cultural and economic revitalization of the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn in New York City.[1][2]
Coney Island USA's headquarters building in the heart of Coney Island's amusement district houses a theater in which the organization presents "Sideshows by the Seashore", a showcase for performers with unusual talents that runs continuously during the warmer months, as well as the Coney Island Museum.
The Coney Island Museum features artifacts and memorabilia about the amusement park, beach and neighborhood's history and culture, as well as changing exhibits of art and culture. The museum is open seasonally.[3]
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History
Coney Island USA was founded in 1980 by Costa Mantis, Jane Savitt-Tennen and Dick D. Zigun. Over the years, Coney Island USA has been funded, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York Council for the Humanities, the Brooklyn Borough President, and New York City Council member Mark Treyger and others.[4]
In 2025, Coney Island USA joined the Coney Island History Project and other Coney Island community organizations in opposing the casino proposed by Thor Equities for Coney Island.[5][6][7] The Brooklyn Paper quoted Coney Island USA Executive Director Patrick Wall on the issue: “We’re asking for a giant fort to come and plop down on top of our entire amusement district across three blocks. That’s crazy! It’s going to keep people locked in, they’ve got food, they’ve got accommodations, they’ve got entertainment. They’re never going to come outside, they’re never going to give us money.”[8]
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Film festival
The Coney Island Film Festival is an annual independent film festival held in the Coney Island neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. It was founded in 2001 and is presented by the nonprofit arts organization Coney Island USA.
The Brooklyn Eagle reported that the 2021 edition of the festival featured 108 films from around the world.[9] The Brooklyn Paper described the 2017 lineup as "filled with fantastic, freaky options."[10] The New York Times described the 2015 Coney Island Film Festival as "eclectic," highlighting films such as The Cruel Tale of the Medicine Man and The Longest Friday of the Year.[11] NBC New York reported that the 9th Annual Coney Island Film Festival featured 96 films, including the documentary The Prince of Mermaid Avenue.[12] Time Out New York highlighted the festival's mix of "mermaids, sideshow artists, and amusement-park rides."[13] The Brooklyn Rail wrote that the event continues Coney Island's "romance with cinema."[14] MovieMaker magazine has listed the festival among its "25 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" and "Coolest Film Festivals in the World."[15]
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Parade
Coney Island USA is notable as the organizer of the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade, the first of which took place in 1983.[3][16][2]
References
External links
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