2023 Community Impact Report

Alberta Ballet has made great strides towards its social impact and EDII goals in 2023. We prioritized the development of new programs that reflect and serve Albertans and supported those programs with new staff, evaluation frameworks, and consistent stakeholder engagement with diverse community groups.

This work has increased the number of diverse perspectives and voices included in program development and access to the benefits of dance for thousands more Albertans.

  • Outreach Classes

    In 2023 we piloted and formally launched a new initiative called Alberta Ballet Outreach Classes. 116 free and accessible dance classes were delivered to almost 600 low-income, immigrant, vulnerable, First Nations and Metis youth ages 6-16 across the province in six communities.

    These dance programs are built in consultation and partnership with social service agencies, Indigenous groups, municipalities, schools and immigrant serving agencies.

    Programs were hosted at:
    - Red Deer Northside Community Centre YMCA
    - Medicine Hat George Davison Elementary School
    - Grande Prairie Alexander Forbes School
    - Calgary Centre for Newcomers
    - Alberta Ballet Edmonton Studios
    - Alberta Ballet Calgary Studios

  • Welcoming Newcomers Program

    In 2023, we provided 900 newcomers with complimentary tickets to Alberta Ballet performances in Edmonton and Calgary with support from Enbridge. We now have six immigrant serving agency partners who distribute the tickets to newcomers who can benefit most and help us gather insights and feedback about the newcomer experience.

    We also hosted our first ever Welcoming Newcomers Reception to kick off Alberta Ballet’s 23-24 season and provide newcomers, agency partners, funders and staff opportunity to socialize and deepen relationships in-person.

    Since 2019, we have hosted more than 3,000 immigrants at our performances through the program.

  • Indigenous Relations

    In 2023 we built a new relationship with Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, leading to the development of a free 6-week dance program in Edmonton for 18 First Nations and Metis youth. The program was designed with ISCA’s input to increase access for Indigenous youth to explore both ballet and powwow. The pilot registration reached capacity within 30 minutes and was so positively received it will be expanded to Calgary in early 2024.

    We also connected with the Dene Tha Community School in northern Alberta and are providing ongoing virtual Outreach Classes to students once per week. In April 2024, our Outreach Teacher will visit the community to meet with school faculty, students and local families to deepen our relationship and understanding of remote Indigenous communities.

  • Dance Films

    In 2023, we released three new films as part of a special project to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists in Alberta. A call for artists was distributed through arts and community groups across the province inviting choreographers and filmmakers to collaborate with Alberta Ballet dancers and Artistic teams. The films have more than 1,800 views, and provided an important opportunity for internal teams to learn about the challenges faced by equity deserving groups when navigating the professional arts landscape.