The mission of the Richmond Ballet is to "awaken and uplift the human spirit" through the art of dance. We are able to accomplish our mission because of generous patrons like you, and we invite you to become part of the exhilarating life of Richmond Ballet this season by making a gift to our Annual Fund.

Nearly 50% of the Ballet's total contributed revenue is provided through support of the Annual Fund. These gifts help us keep the Ballet operating at the highest level of excellence by providing necessities such as the dancers' pointe shoes for each performance and live musical accompaniment for all of our classes. These gifts also make it possible for us to transform the Arthur Ashe Center into a professional stage each year for the 1400 schoolchildren who participate in the Minds In Motion program annual performance in May. Most importantly, perhaps, is that these gifts allow all of our programs to be available to ticket buyers, tour sponsors and aspiring students at a fraction of their actual costs, thereby bringing them into reach for many who otherwise wouldn't have access.

With the ongoing commitment of the donors to our Annual Fund, the Ballet continues to grow and expand its reach beyond the City of Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia. With your support, we have built a respected and versatile professional company that continues to attract gifted dancers from around the world. We have built a school that has trained dancers who now dance not only with Richmond Ballet, but also with such notable companies as Berlin Opera Ballet and New York City Ballet. We have built an outreach program that impacts 1400 schoolchildren each year.

In this twenty-fifth anniversary season, we are looking ahead while renewing our commitment to build on all we have worked to establish these past years. Whether you choose to become a member of the Cabriole Circle or support us as a Friend, every contribution enables us to bring exceptional dance and education to more than 85,000 patrons across the state. We could not do it without you!

Best Wishes,

Stoner Winslett
Artistic Director