Our story · 2017–2027
Our First Ten Years
A community grew into a center. A center became a place to belong.
The journey so far
Our story · 2017—2027
The history
of the BAC
A journey of people, ideas, challenges and countless moments that shaped the Braswell Arts Center into what it is today.
2017
The beginning
After months of planning, fundraising and a whole lot of belief, BAC opened its doors on 14 August 2017.
23 January 2017
The first visit
We had our first appointment to see the space that would become the Braswell Arts Center.
16 February 2017
A meeting (and a lot of begging)
We met the owners to share our plans and ask them to give us a chance. Little did we know, there would be a lot more “begging” in our future!
17 March 2017
The GO!
After weeks of waiting, our final meeting with the owners ended with the answer we had hoped for: go!
28 April 2017
A community takes a chance
Our wemakeit campaign launched with a goal of CHF 35,000 to be raised in 40 days.
CHF 35,725
137 donors.
One shared beginning.
11 May 2017
You made it happen
We reached CHF 35,000 in just 14 days. You guys ROCKED it!
5 June 2017
An incredible result
137 donors raised CHF 35,725. A dream was becoming a real place.
More moments from 2017
15–18 June
Our first Open Door Days brought seven artists and the local community together.
19–26 June
A grand piano, donated by the Schild Family, arrived and was played in our first summer workshop.
14 August
Eleven weekly classes, together in one space.
13 September
Our window installation was completed—a new landmark for the neighbourhood.
October
BLKB supported BAC Kids; Armando and Lisa appeared on SRF; Rasta Thomas taught our first weekend workshop.
20–24 November
Roderick George became our first artist in residence; Front of Bicycle transformed BAC into a gallery.
December
BAC joined Theater Basel’s Exklusiv für Alle project.
2018
Growing together
Children, musicians, painters and dancers made the space their own. BAC Kids officially began with 15 children on 7 March.
January 2018
Our schedule grew to 15 classes a week.
26 February–10 March 2018
Kihako Narisawa’s residency culminated in a public showing of Figurative.
18 March 2018
Arte Diversa Ensemble gave BAC its first music concert.
More moments from 2018
16 April
BAC joined KulturLegi Beider Basel.
May
Basilea brought BAC dancers to Messeplatz; Hidden brought photography and performance to IWB Filter 4.
4–16 June
Pedro Martin Rojo’s residency brought painting workshops, exhibitions, dance, opera and poetry into BAC.
19 June
BAC dancers performed Exklusiv für Alle at Theater Basel.
July–August
GGG Basel joined as a BAC Kids supporter; our second school year began with an expanded children’s programme.
September–October
The Corvino sisters and Jeroboam Bozeman visited for teaching residencies.
November–December
A teaching exchange with Bailamos began, followed by our first BAC Kids outing to Theater Basel and an Adventskalender performance.
2019
Beyond the studio
On 15 June, BAC Kids performed at Theater Basel for the first time. A new generation stepped into the spotlight.
03 / The story continues
A stage for everyone.
January 2019
Gaga joined our growing workshop programme.
March 2019
Armando was invited to join the Prix de Lausanne artistic team.
More moments from 2019
April–May
School workshops, Tanzfest collaborations and Bryan Arias’s residency opened new connections.
5–15 June
BAC dancers returned to Exklusiv für Alle; BAC Kids made their Theater Basel debut.
22 June
Armando took his final bow with Ballett Theater Basel after seven seasons.
July
Armando taught at the first Prix de Lausanne summer programme.
September
Digital Dance premiered at IWB Filter 4; Alphonse Poulin taught at BAC.
Autumn
Our first holiday workshop series offered 30 classes; Saturday children’s classes made BAC a six-day space.
3 November
More than 430 children and parents joined Armando’s family workshops at Kunstmuseum Basel.
2020
Keep Basel moving
When the studios had to close, the movement continued online. #KeepBaselMoving kept our community connected.
04 / The story continues
Movement finds a way.
January 2020
An Open House, New Year’s apéro and a new Exklusiv für Alle project began the year.
26 January 2020
Everything is Poetry was performed at Forum Würth Arlesheim, inspired by Joan Miró.
More moments from 2020
February
Armando served on the Prix de Lausanne jury.
Spring
BAC moved classes online during pandemic restrictions.
10 May
Quarantine Creation was broadcast on Telebasel.
July
Our first Holiday Arts Camp brought dance, music, theatre and visual arts together for children.
2021
A new generation
The Pre-Professional Program began in August, opening a new pathway for young talent in partnership with Basel Talents / Sportklasse.
05 / The story continues
Room to grow.
February 2021
Armando returned to Prix de Lausanne as contemporary teacher and video-edition jury member.
20 March 2021
Our first Virtual Benefit Gala brought international artists together in support of BAC.
More moments from 2021
August
The Pre-Professional Program launched.
2022
Dance Basel begins
A new festival brought international choreographers, public masterclasses and performances together during Art Basel week.
06 / The story continues
An open invitation.
13 February 2022
The second Virtual Benefit Gala supported the next stage of BAC’s growth.
June 2022
The first Dance Basel Festival took place.
2023
A new home
On 29 January, we celebrated the opening of BAC at Aeschenvorstadt 52: two studios, a café and more room for our community.
29 January 2023
Our Grand Opening Apéro welcomed the community into the new space.
Autumn 2023
Mom/Dad & Me Toddler Movement Classes added a new way for families to dance together.
2024
Basel meets Brooklyn
Performances, collaborations and cultural exchange carried the work beyond our studio walls.
08 / The story continues
Across borders.
May 2024
Armando created She Made Space for LaGuardia High School’s graduation concert in New York.
June 2024
BAC partnered on Madeline Hollander’s Sub-Clique for Art Basel Parcours; Armando created Echo for Kunstmuseum Basel.
More moments from 2024
13–14 June
The BAC Summer Dance Concert brought students to Scala Theater.
July
Brooklyn to Basel connected young dance communities in New York and Switzerland.
2025
New connections
New recognition and artistic invitations reflected a community reaching further.
09 / The story continues
Art connects us.
May 2025
The association received the Panathlon Institution Prize.
Summer 2025
Armando created Flight for the Ailey School’s summer performance showcase.
2026
Space to create
Dance Basel Creation Lab brought artists into the studio to develop new work together.
10 / The story continues
Ideas in motion.
April 2026
Art therapy, breathwork and sound healing added another creative encounter at BAC.
16 August 2026
Following a two-week residency with Skylar Buser, Creation Lab presented its new work to the public.
2027
Ten years together
A year to celebrate the people who made BAC possible—and imagine what comes next.
A story made by people
Students, artists, teachers, families, partners and friends have all shaped BAC. The anniversary is a chance to make their experiences visible.
Have a memory to share?
Tell us about a class, performance or encounter that stayed with you.
