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Company Dancer Tara Lee Gives Us Insight on Her 14 Years with Atlanta Ballet
The Campaign for Atlanta Ballet – Choreographing Our Future
Atlanta Ballet is kicking off a capital campaign to raise $14.8 million, the largest fundraising effort in the organization’s 79 year history. As of the public announcement, $10 million has been secured towards the campaign, representing more than 67 percent of the goal. The Campaign for Atlanta Ballet now moves into the public phase engaging the community to aid in securing a new home and a solid future for Atlanta Ballet.
The largest donation for the campaign has come from the Michael C. and Thalia N. Carlos Foundation with a $3 million gift to name Atlanta Ballet’s new headquarters. Chris and Merry Carlos have been long time Atlanta Ballet supporters, and Merry sits on the Board of Trustees. The building will be named in the memory of Chris’ father and Atlanta philanthropist Michael C. Carlos. The new building, which the organization plans to move to in summer 2010, is to be named the “Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre.”
“We are proud to be able to carry on my father’s commitment to the arts and his home community,” said Chris Carlos. “Contributing to an organization that represents both grace and strength is the perfect tribute to his name.”
The campaign is being chaired by arts patron and former Atlanta Ballet dancer, Lynda Courts and Holder Construction CEO, Thomas M. Holder.
In the spring of 2008, Atlanta Ballet engaged Coxe Curry & Associates to conduct a feasibility study to assess the current market for purchasing and building our new home and strengthening the organization’s financial position. The overwhelming response was supportive and encouraged immediate action.
“We are taking our cues from the donor community and focusing on what really matters for our Ballet and for the community,” says Courts. “We will continue to set our artistic sights high as a part of a vibrant cultural community, while striving to work smarter to ensure our stable financial future, particularly in these challenging economic times.”
The $14.8 million campaign for Atlanta Ballet will support the following priorities:
- Purchasing property for the new headquarters,
- Renovation of that property,
- Product and audience development, expanded marketing, and
- Long-term sustainability of the organization.
“It is imperative that Atlanta Ballet create a model that assures our long-term financial stability and sustainability. We must continue to present and market exceptional art, as well as provide deep and meaningful arts education opportunities in the community. At the same time, we need to build a solid financial base through the execution of sound long-term business strategies and a comprehensive business plan including the creation of the Atlanta Ballet Endowment,” said Barry Hughson Executive Director of Atlanta Ballet. “Thanks to a generous $1 million challenge grant from local business woman, philanthropist and long-time Atlanta Ballet patron Audrey B. Morgan, we expect to raise an additional $3 million which, combined with existing endowment assets, will bring Atlanta Ballet’s endowment total to $5.6 million.”
Other key leadership donors include the Kendeda Fund, the R. Howard Dobbs, Jr. Foundation, Patti E. Wallace and Holder Construction Company. Atlanta Ballet’s Board of Trustees has committed 100 percent participation, with a goal to raise a minimum combined contribution of $5 million.
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Atlanta Ballet and Kennesaw State University Announce Educational Partnership
*Update: The Atlanta Ballet-Kennesaw State University partnership was featured in the March issue of Dance Magazine! Click here to read the article.
Atlanta Ballet is proud to announce the launch of a new partnership with the Program in Dance at Kennesaw State University. The partnership is aimed at providing a venue for collaborative dance education between the two institutions. Company members from Atlanta Ballet and students at the Centre for Dance Education will have the opportunity of pursuing Bachelor of Art degrees in dance at Kennesaw State University. Professional company and Fellowship dancers will be able to apply for advanced professional credit towards their degrees, and pursue both a professional and academic career through their association with both institutions.
Undergraduate dance students enrolled in the Program in Dance at Kennesaw State University will receive special discounts and concessions to Atlanta Ballet performances, classes and events. Advanced level students will also have opportunities to audition for supernumerary roles with Atlanta Ballet and gain professional performance experience. Atlanta Ballet will provide internship opportunities for KSU dance majors at the Centre for Dance education, giving KSU students professional administrative experience in the field of dance.
The Kennesaw State University Program in Dance is housed in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies within the College of The Arts. The program was started in fall 2005, and has quickly grown into one of the leading undergraduate dance programs in the Southeast, offering a B.A. degree in Dance as well as an undergraduate dance minor. The Kennesaw State University Dance Company has received several regional and national recognitions, including the honor of being selected in June 2008 to represent the southeast at the National American College Dance Festival in New York City.
Founded in 1996, the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education is nationally accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. The Centre has become one of the top ten dance education facilities in the country and continues to set a high standard for excellence in dance education. The Centre prides itself on its community partnerships, and is proud to add a new dimension of collegiate education through its partnership with Kennesaw State University.
To learn more about the Kennesaw State University Program in Dance, click here.
Reviews
'Nutcracker' still charms after 50 years; The ballerinas prove as pretty and delicate as the countless snowflakes that drift down from the Fox's starry ceiling. Read the entire review by Curt Holman, Creative Loafing
Atlanta Ballet presents 'Magic Flute'; 'Magic Flute' shone as Atlanta Ballet's full-length season opener fraught with whimsical and amorous interludes coupled with a mixture of stellar solo performances. Read the entire review by Pamela Gaye, Ballet.co
Ballet's 'Swan Lake' remains delightful; Physically arduous gestures and extreme body contortions are made to look sublimely effortless. Such beauty never fails to give a shiver. Read the entire review by Pierre Ruhe, AJC
When ballet plays footsie with hip-hop; "big" is big, and the hip, cheering and wildly diverse audience on Thursday night is undoubtedly what the Atlanta Ballet's director, John McFall, had in mind when he suggested the collaboration to Mr. Patton. Read the entire review by Roslyn Sulcas, The New York Times
Big Boi's 'Big' a big success despite little missteps; A multimedia extravaganza, "big" fulfills its name and fills the seats. Now if we could just see Big Boi in some tights. Read the entire review by Kathleen Wessel, AJC
Lively 'Room,' new home; Atlanta Ballet dancers proved themselves worthy of both artistic and athletic praise after Thursday night's performance of the relentless "In The Upper Room." Read the entire review by Kathleen Wessel, AJC