An undeniable part of any artistic project is amassing funding—a necessary step that many choreographers dread. But a fundraising event doesn’t have to be a sing-for-your-supper experience or a night of awkward networking.

In this global economic crisis, it sometimes feels like the plight of dancers has been largely ignored. So Debbie Allen is on a mission to change that. “They don’t list dance and the arts as essential,” she says, “but we are! We give people more joy and hope than almost anything.” To spread that joy […]

Galas are typically red carpet, black tie, elevated (and sometimes over the top) opportunities for nonprofit philanthropic communities to don their evening wear in the name of a good cause. However, the disco ball backdrop of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s gala this year was replaced by living room bookshelves. Like everything else these days, […]

Now, more than ever, dance companies are relying on donations to stay afloat. Without ticket sales, almost every troupe has lost a huge portion of their income. Grants and relief funds are quickly being established, but they remain few and far between. That means philanthropy has become even more essential than usual. When you’re relying […]

Now more than ever, ballet companies are searching for creative ways to build revenue. One tactic has stood out: patrons choosing to donate via the sponsorship of a particular dancer. Often implemented by large troupes like American Ballet Theatre (all of its principals and most soloists have sponsors), the trend has now reached smaller companies […]