Canada’s Ballet Jörgen aims to provide access to professional dance in communities that historically lack opportunities to participate in cultural events due to geographic, funding and socioeconomic barriers. We bring live performance and arts education directly into these communities to ensure the arts are inclusive of everyone. The goal is to enrich the communities we serve by inspiring participation in and appreciation for the arts through personal connections and experiences.
Who We Reach
The company reaches over 60,000 people across every province annually through its performances, outreach and education; 30% of our audiences are of diverse origin with an annual income of less than $35,000.* Additionally, one third of our audience at public performances is under the age of 18.*
Our extensive free education and outreach programming ensures we are accessible to the broader community. By offering programming in a wide range of non-traditional community spaces (e.g., libraries, elementary schools), we remove many of the common barriers to arts participation. The Company also offers programming in French for our Québec audiences and other French speaking communities.
*Aimia Data Philanthropy for Social Purpose Analysis, Nov 2015
Education & Outreach Programs
Aspiring dancers will get valuable experience with professional dancers and artistic staff
Ballet 101 is a free, interactive education program offered in libraries and elementary schools in each community we visit. Ballet 101s are designed especially for children and youth and introduce the audience to dance through a combination of performance and participation.
BITS (Ballet in the Studio) & Ballet Express is one of the most popular performance programs and is your opportunity to see professional dance in an intimate setting.
Dancers get a wealth of experience and knowledge from professionals, helping them to see things anew and inspiring them to achieve more.
Immerse yourself into a professional dance company environment; this program is for the dancer with high-level technique seeking their first professional full time job in a dance company. Dancers will work with Canada’s Ballet Jörgen Company dancers and Artistic Director Bengt Jörgen to create new works, hone repertoire and put professional poise to technique, etiquette and work habits.