Press

Ballet Victoria in the Community
“ART ECO” – Art Ecology and the Economy

Ballet Victoria is emerging as a significant force in our community—making a passionate contribution to the ecology of its arts and a positive impact on the local economy.

As a first-class professional arts organization, Ballet Victoria is a cultural asset to Victoria – an ambassador across the province and, through accolades in national media, across the country. We are promoters not only of our own company, but of artistic excellence across this talented community: BV provides opportunities for local musicians, singers, visual artists, designers and dancers to perform or collaborate with the company both onstage and off.

We employ a small team of professional dancers who all live in Victoria, and whose income cycles back into the local economy. BV employs local designers and creative talent for costumes, lighting, production and visual arts, as well as local theatre crew for front and back of the house. BV buys advertising in local media, employs a local publicist and designer, and does all of its printing locally.

In addition, BV’s highly successful community Outreach Programs bring the magic of dance to B.C. schools and local seniors’ residences. Tickets for performances are given to community under-privileged groups. Local organizations, charities and other not-for-profit causes are supported with tickets and/or performances for their fundraising events. In 2009 alone, BV charitable and community “gifts in kind” amounted to well over $40,000. All of which is to say that every dollar spent at a performance of Ballet Victoria, and every dollar and gift donated to support BV, remains in Victoria.

BV participates extensively in our community, and the arts and economy of Victoria are stronger for it. We’ve coined the term “ART ECO2” as our shorthand for this important facet of our mission, which we like to think adds lustre to Ballet Victoria – a jewel in Victoria’s artistic crown.