Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will position their decade-long collaboration into a formalized alliance that aims to influence the future of dance in Vancouver and beyond.
The MoU aligns two of British Columbia’s leading dance organizations that have long shared similar, progressive artistic visions for dance. Under the leadership of Emily Molnar, Artistic Director at Ballet BC, and Artemis Gordon, Artistic Director for Dance at Arts Umbrella, the alliance extends the potential impact of international choreographers collaborating with Ballet BC or Arts Umbrella and provides new opportunities for young dancers. Over the long term, the alliance aims to strengthen B.C.’s dance community and to solidify Vancouver’s increasing identity as a launching point for internationally acclaimed dance performance and dance careers.
“Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella have collaborated for many years and this MoU serves to formalize our alliance and relationship. Ballet BC will continue to foster young and emerging dancers through our professional development programs and shared resources, and draw from Arts Umbrella’s remarkable talent pool for larger stage works,” says Dr. Kevin B. Leslie, President and Chair, Ballet BC Board of Directors. “We look forward to contributing significantly to the future of dance through this solid alliance between our organizations.”
“This affiliation allows Arts Umbrella and Ballet BC to grow our shared vision of bringing new, exciting, and contemporary dance forms to Vancouver and the world,” says Michael Lee, Chair of the Arts Umbrella Association Board. “Arts Umbrella is excited that young dancers in our vanguard dance program will have the potential for this incredible connection to the professional dance industry.”
Both Ballet BC and Arts Umbrella share a commitment to nurturing young dance talent and through this Memorandum of Understanding the two organizations look forward to having a larger collective impact on dance in the years to come.
About Ballet BC: Combining classical integrity with a contemporary sensibility, Ballet BC is a company of 18 talented dancers from Canada and around the world that is committed to the ballet of today. Solidly grounded in the rigour and artistry of classical ballet, with an emphasis on innovation and the immediacy of the 21st century, the company presents a distinct and diverse repertoire of the most sought-after Canadian and international contemporary ballet choreography. Ballet BC continues its commitment to perform highly acclaimed productions on regional, national and international tours in addition to its regular performance season at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver. For more information, visit balletbc.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @balletbc.
About Arts Umbrella: Arts Umbrella is a not-for-profit arts education centre where young artists cultivate creativity through Performing and Visual Arts programs. Since 1979, we’ve opened the doors for all kids ages 2 to 19 to learn, innovate, and achieve goals through arts education. Arts Umbrella students range from preschoolers to pre-professionals, taking part in 785 classes at four locations. Each year, more than 21,500 children experience the arts at Arts Umbrella – and about two-thirds do so at no cost to their families. For more, visit artsumbrella.com or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @artsumbrella.
Ballet BC Media Contact: Jodi Smith, JLS Entertainment, 604.736.4939 or jls@jlsentertainment.ca
Arts Umbrella Media Contact: Sally Hart, Arts Umbrella Dance, 604.681.5268 ext. 233 or shdhart@artsumbrella.com
