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Ballet Academy
Ventura is an exemplary youth-based
pre-professional and professional
company offering the highest standards
of production and artistic education
relying on volunteers and professionals
to mount the productions.
Ballet Academy Ventura has made
significant contributions to the
enrichment of the community:
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Making the performing arts a “major
component of the community’s
fabric,” by raising citizen
awareness in Ventura of a ballet
company accessible to all, providing
community enhancement (e.g.,
community festivals).
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Helping the youth discover within
themselves the spirit of community
contribution.
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Providing affordable ticket pricing
to ballet performances
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Engaging a culturally diverse
population in all aspects of
production
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Providing community elementary
education and enrichment
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Supporting the Ventura downtown
Cultural Arts District (e.g., Arts
Explosion)
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Benefiting the artistic and cultural
heritage of Ventura:
The Company has a strong history of
reaching out to Ventura’s underserved
culturally diverse populations. The
Company’s productions reflect the rich
cultural elements that make up the
social fabric of Ventura County. The
breadth of cultural diversity among
students and audiences include Latino,
Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders,
African-Americans and Eastern Europeans.
At least 40% of the Company’s students
represent cultural/ethnic groups.
Students receive instruction from a team
of multi-lingual instructors, 50% of
whom are fluent in two – three languages
(i.e., English, Spanish, Russian).
Community Outreach Strategies:
Promoting ballet among culturally
diverse students and audiences is a
hallmark of VCBC’s achievements. VCBC
has bridged cultural awareness and
participation in all productions. We
keep ticket prices affordable, and
donate at least 500 complimentary
tickets each year so underserved
populations are able to attend |
performances and participate in
productions. Testimonials among students
and their families from all cultures
express that they have developed a sense
of belonging, a spirit of community
participation, and a sense of personal
accomplishments that they would
otherwise be unable to achieve. Students
gain a confident vision of themselves,
which enables them to be better
citizens, students, and community
participants.
Arts Education Programs:
Elementary School Dance Education
Assembly Program. Two instructors and
dance troupe visit elementary schools in
Ventura Unified School District. The
program proposes to reach two
schools/month October 2004 to June 2005:
total of 16 schools and 7,563 students.
Therapeutic Dance Program for Foster
Children provides ballet classes each
week without cost to participants. 10-15
foster care students participate each
week for a full year.
Adelphia Cable Impact interviews ballet
directors about upcoming productions
featuring instruction about ballet
libretto, costuming and sets. This
educational programming reaches all
segments of the community including
culturally diverse community members,
seniors and the physically challenged. |
