| Academy of Magical Arts | |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1962 |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | The Magic Castle in Hollywood, California |
| President | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Website | http://www.magiccastle.com |
The Academy of Magical Arts is a California non profit mutual benefit corporation organized and devoted to the promotion and development of the art of magic.
Although begun in 1952 as a loose association of magicians by William Larsen, Sr. the Academy was incorporated and its organization formalized in 1962 by his son, William Larsen, Jr., who together with Milt Larsen, another son of William Larsen, Sr., built the Academy into an international organization whose headquarters has been the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California since 1963.[1]
Contents |
The Academy of Magical Arts was first begun by William Larsen in 1952 in conjunction with an independent magazine of magic, Genii, of which all the subscribers became instant members. William Larsen, Sr. died at the age of 48 in 1955. His wife and older son, Bill Jr. continued the printing of the magazine but the "Academy" lacked any formal structure or organization and the concept did not flourish. In 1962 William Larsen's younger son, Milt, undertook the job of leasing and restoring an ornately styled, 1909 mansion in Hollywood, California and turning it into a meeting place for magicians which he called the "Magic Castle." As part of their plan to revive the Academy and locate it in the "Magic Castle" William Larsen, Jr. filed articles of incorporation and created a nonprofit corporation, in 1962. The Magic Castle opened its doors in January, 1963 as the home of the Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. From an initial membership of 50, the Academy has grown to a worldwide membership of over 5,000 today.
There are nearly 2,500 magician members in the Academy today. To become a regular member one must first be actively practicing or involved with magic as a career or hobby and audition before the Academy’s membership reviewing committee. Associate members are people who love magic and the academy. Most of the members are in the entertainment business, law, finance, and medical fields. Some of these associate members are friends of magician members who enjoy the atmosphere of the Academy. Associate Member applications must be approved by the Board of Directors. Honorary members and VIP members are presented by the Board of Directors to magicians, celebrities and individual members of the Academy who have contributed to the advancement of the art of magic. It is also possible to become a junior magician if you are between the age of 13 and 20. Membership in the Junior Group is open to anyone seriously interested in magic and is from 13 to 19 years of age. One may apply if 20 years old, but must be able to be a member in the Group for one full year. These junior magicians are only allowed the limited use of facilities. You must be a talented magician to get accepted through audition.
To take a class at the Academy of Magic you do not have to become a member. The Basic Magic class is designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary to perform basic magic.[2] The class combines instructor presentation, step-by-step explanation, hands-on instruction, group practice sessions and individual performance. Classes are held one night per week for six weeks, from 7:45PM to 9:45PM. During the six weeks the students shall receive a temporary six week pass that will grant the privileges of a regular member excluding magician member's lectures. They are allowed to bring four friends to stay at the castle but not to the classes. Men must wear a coat and tie and women must wear a dress or skirt, no casual wear is permitted.