The Next Step Campaign
The Grand Finale
With the combination of $3.2 million in voter-approved bond funds and $7.3 million from generous donors to the Next Step Campaign, Ballet Arizona and The School of Ballet Arizona moved in the summer of 2013 into the organization’s long-awaited, new permanent home at 2835 E. Washington St. in Phoenix. After 20 challenging years in small, dilapidated quarters on Indian School Road, the Company and the School spread its wings into a redesigned warehouse. In this cross-town move, the organization stepped out of a 14,000-square-foot facility into a new home more than three times larger – outfitted with an expansive lobby, seven studios, including a “black box” theatre, as well as dressing rooms, costume and scene shops, and spaces for education and community programs.
Stepping Out
In fulfilling its commitment to voters and hundreds of donors, Ballet Arizona offers a direct personal encounter with the creative acts of dance, storytelling, and music. Properly housed in an accessible location, the new Ballet Arizona Center for Dance has a greater impact through its programs and through its network of community-based performances and classes.
Our goals:
- Expand the mix of school programs to engage more youth, including youth from underserved populations
- Free Community School Classes/Master Classes for ages 16 and up.
- Summer Workshops: Intensive training program for 20 students aged 9 to 13 selected from local schools with full scholarship support. A performance ends the week-long workshop
- Increased financial aid for students from low-income families.
- Attract greater ethnic diversity among students and audiences and broaden the geography of dance by taking performances into other communities and settings and increasing financial aid.
The Grand Finale:
In 2014, The Grand Finale phase of our capital campaign was completed with total funds raised $13.5 million. We are thankful to our Campaign Cabinet, our Board of Directors, and our Campaign Co-Chairs: Jacquie Dorrance and Carol Schilling. Without their dedication and support, this dream would not have become a reality.
