Operating Support
ACHF Arts Access
The Ballet, through its performances, school, outreach programs, community service, and access policy, will encourage and enable the full public to experience the art of dance, whether as participants or audience members. This supports the Arts Board goal that people of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities participate in the arts. Staff and Board assessed performance income as a measure of participation. Nutcracker and Firebird exceeded income projections; Dracula did not meet projections in its second consecutive year, and will be offered every few years in the future. Dances and Desserts sold out each performance. School teachers, Principal Teacher, and the Artistic Director evaluated ballet students for advancement into upper levels. Staff and teachers used feedback to meet needs of teen and adult students. Staff and Outreach Coordinator reviewed teacher surveys, finding enthusiastic reaction and learning ways teachers used outreach guide for preparation and links to other subjects. For community service, Ballet staff evaluated Community Enrichment ticket program to make sure service organization clients' needs were met. For access, Ballet staff assessed Ballet's compliance with ADA guidelines and that of all Ballet event venues. Staff and Creative Dance teacher talked with parents to assess meeting needs of students with developmental challenges. 2: Through careful financial management, the Ballet will have the resources to offer the public a growing repertoire of works, to meet the needs of its professional artists, to enhance the training of its pre-professional ballet students as well as of community members, to develop innovative outreach programs, and to collaborate with other arts groups. This supports the Arts Board goal that the arts thrive in Minnesota. Board Finance Committee and Board evaluated Ballet's strong fiscal position at end of 2012-13. Performance evaluation came from audience, Board members, and reviewers; comments on Facebook and Ticketmaster. In classes, rehearsals, and performances, Artistic Director evaluated dancers as exceeding his expectations: they mastered many dance styles, showed great dramatic ability, and helped him choreograph Dance Infernale of Firebird. Artistic Director and teachers evaluated pre-professional students, who made great progress learning classical technique in their levels. Of elementary teachers evaluating Firebird outreach performances, 100% rated program as excellent or good; most reported using teachers guide to help prepare their classes. For collaboration, staff assessed warm audience response, review, and reaction.
Dracula, Nutcracker, and Firebird performances gave appealing family entertainment. Intimate studio performance of Dances and Desserts and presentation of choreography made possible by New York Choreographic Institute provided choreography that was challenging to both dancers and veteran audiences. The school provided financial aid to all qualifying students, academy-standards training to pre-professional students, and dance and fitness classes to community teens and adults. The outreach program provided dance experiences to Silver Bay and Duluth elementary students. The community service program provided complimentary Nutcracker tickets to 21 service agencies and teamed with Blood Bank to promote Dracula and blood donation. Creative Dance program in its 23rd year provided adaptive dance instruction to children with handicaps. Dance Day at the Depot accommodated children in strollers and people with ambulatory challenges who all could sit close to the free, intimate dance presentation. 2: Ballet's careful fiscal management, despite flood damage to 90% of its sets last summer, resulted in a strong fiscal position at end of 2012-13. Two pieces were added to the repertory: a contemporary ballet "Two Andantes" by guest choreographer Penelope Freeh, and Robert Gardner's magical Firebird. Dances and Desserts allowed Minnesota Ballet artists to choreograph; Nikolaus Wourms' new work, made possible by New York Choreographic Institute grant may be publically performed in 18 months. Company dancers benefited from working in various dance styles and drama technique in 2012-13. Nutcracker allowed 80 students to perform in a professional production. The Ballet did creative fundraising to support public school performance of "Firebird." The Ballet collaborated with Lyric Opera of the North for Amahl and the Night Visitors, and with Twin Ports Arts Align for North x North promotion campaign in spring 2013.
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