Community Engagement
The Sarasota Ballet believes dance is for everyone and takes pride in making dance accessible to all. For over 30 years, The Sarasota Ballet has been committed to its mission of “strengthening community through the art of dance”.
The Sarasota Ballet’s Community Engagement Department offers complimentary or low-cost programs crucial in ensuring that a diverse range of people can experience and appreciate the beauty of dance. By reaching out to new audiences and revitalizing communities, The Sarasota Ballet is not only contributing to the cultural richness of the area but also providing opportunities for individuals to connect with and find inspiration in the art of dance.
2 Areas of community engagement
Dance – The Next Generation
Dance – The Next Generation, the Sarasota Ballet’s flagship community engagement program proudly serving local youth for over 30 years.
Community Engagement
Debuting in 2022, Community Engagement gathers and highlights the ways The Sarasota Ballet serves the community each season reaching thousands often underserved in the performing arts. Dance For All provides access and opportunity for those five to 95 to explore and experience the world of dance.
Dance – The next generation
Dance – The Next Generation (DNG) is designed to nurture the development of the entire individual through dance. With a focus on fostering dance appreciation, heightening self-esteem, and strengthening a desire for higher education, DNG has served the children in our community for over thirty years.
Community Engagement – Youth Pillar
school performances & programs
The Sarasota Ballet proudly partners with local schools to bring dance performances, interactive workshops, and masterclasses to our community youth providing opportunities for students in grades K-12 to experience and engage with live, classical ballet – often for the first time.
Community Engagement – Adaptive Pillar
JOYFUL MOVEMENT THROUGH PARKINSON’S & Silver swans®
Joyful Movement Through Parkinson’s
The Sarasota Ballet is proud to offer Joyful Movement Through Parkinson’s in partnership with the Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s. In this interactive class, students will enjoy an exploration of ballet through movement, creativity, and music.
Silver Swans®
Silver Swans® is a dance and movement program for those 55 and over. Silver Swans® classes are designed to help participants maintain physical activity, improve posture and muscle strength, increase balance and coordination, as well as relieve stress.
Community Engagement – Community Pillar
Community Experiences
Under the Community pillar, The Sarasota Ballet aims to create awareness and appreciation of dance by offering quality experiences to communities and populations that may face barriers accessing the arts. Community Experiences allows our dancers and staff to interact through small group events such as backstage tours, ballet talkbacks, lecture demonstrations, community performances in unconventional spaces, and family dance events. The Sarasota Ballet also offers low-cost or complimentary tickets to our professional performances for marginalized community groups.
