Ballet Theatre Company has received a Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities.

Submitted

Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) was recently awarded an $18,500 CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant from CT Humanities (CTH). CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants assist organizations as they recover from the pandemic and maintain and grow their ability to serve their community and the public.

In the past 24 years, BTC has trained thousands of aspiring dancers, provided hundreds of jobs to local dance professionals, produced over one hundred incredible live-action ballets, and has enriched the community through its community enrichment programs by making dance accessible to over 11,000 children in the Greater Hartford metro area.

“BTC sees a bright future for professional ballet in Connecticut and is proud to offer dynamic programs and performances to make the art enjoyable and accessible to everyone. This funding is key to this work,” shared Artistic & Managing Director Stephanie Dattellas.

“For 2023, BTC is prioritizing diversifying and increasing our audiences by appealing to young and more culturally diverse audiences,” says Development Director Brianna Dunlap. “Additionally, a new initiative for audience inclusivity is The Sensory-Friendly Ballet. We hope a greater swath of the Connecticut community can feel safe, comfortable, and welcome in theaters. We hope that these performances provide joy to families with sensory-sensitive members. This funding will help this growing ballet company to keep offering beautiful and accessible ballet performances to our communities.”

The 
CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant funding will also enhance DEI initiatives and improve administrative staff capacity at BTC. Staff at BTC also includes professional ballet dancers. Last year, BTC launched the only professional ballet company in the state with a roster of resident dancers earning a bi-weekly wage. In addition to paying dancers, BTC stands apart in the arts community by running an expansive Community Enrichment Program; partnering with community organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, Hartford Performs, The Miracle League of CT, libraries and senior centers to enrich the arts culture in Greater Hartford. Learn more at dancebtc.org.

BTC was one of 725 organizations in Connecticut receiving a CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant. Totaling more than $8.5 million, these grants are part of a two-year $30.7 million investment in arts, humanities, and cultural nonprofits by the Connecticut General Assembly and approved by Gov. Ned Lamont.

This CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grant is provided to BTC from CT Humanities, with funding from the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA) from the Connecticut State Legislature.

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