Coney Island USA

Coney Island USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization founded in 1980 and dedicated to the cultural and economic revitalization of the Coney Island neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York City. Headquartered in the heart of Coney Island's amusement district, the organization operates a theater, the Coney Island Museum, and produces signature public events that preserve and celebrate the area's distinctive entertainment heritage. Its work spans performance, exhibition, and community advocacy, making it a central institution in the ongoing life of one of America's most historic seaside entertainment districts.

Coney Island USA was founded in 1980 by Costa Mantis, Jane Savitt-Tennen, and Dick D. Zigun. From its inception, the organization has pursued a mission of cultural and economic revitalization for the Coney Island neighborhood. Its programming has expanded over the decades to include multiple annual events and ongoing performance and exhibition offerings. The organization has received partial funding from 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, among others. In 2025, Coney Island USA joined the Coney Island History Project and other community organizations in opposing a casino proposed by Thor Equities for Coney Island. Executive Director Patrick Wall publicly criticized the proposal, arguing that a self-contained entertainment complex would divert visitors and spending away from the existing amusement district. In September 2025, a community advisory committee rejected the casino proposal, effectively ending the plan.

The Coney Island Museum, housed within the organization's headquarters building, presents artifacts and memorabilia related to the amusement park, beach, and neighborhood's history and culture. Its collections and displays extend through the mid-twentieth century, encompassing the material culture of Coney Island's heyday as a mass entertainment destination. The museum also mounts changing exhibits of art and culture, combining historical preservation with contemporary artistic engagement. The museum operates on a seasonal schedule.

Coney Island USA's headquarters building is located in the heart of Coney Island's amusement district in Brooklyn. The building houses both a theater for live performance and the Coney Island Museum. This location places the organization at the center of the area's ongoing entertainment activity, directly amid the historic amusement zone it works to sustain and revitalize.

The Coney Island Museum is open seasonally. Sideshows by the Seashore runs continuously during the warmer months. The organization maintains a website at http://www.ConeyIsland.com. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, Coney Island USA continues to operate as an independent arts and cultural institution within the Coney Island neighborhood, combining public programming with community advocacy.