Donor awards major gift in support of new Artistic Vision
LOUISVILLE, KY, Friday, August 14, 2015 – Louisville Ballet’s Artistic and Executive Director Robert Curran and new Board President Lisa Patrick Leet are thrilled to announce that the Company is the recipient of a significant gift from an anonymous, New York-based donor in support of the new artistic vision. This $1 million gift will help support the development and implementation of vital elements required for this new vision, including the ability to secure and produce an expanded range of high-quality works, the resources needed to create new works, including collaborative projects with local, national and international choreographers, visual artists and musicians, and more.
“Louisville Ballet has historically had a strong place within Louisville’s artistic community, and Louisville has an incredible history of embracing this Company,” said Robert Curran. “This gift not only recognizes the exciting potential of our new vision, it also recognizes the strength of our entire arts community and the city that so strongly supports us all.”
Now entering its 64th year, Louisville Ballet is committed to building on its strong tradition of innovation and artistic integrity; this is also Robert Curran’s first opportunity to craft a season and establish a vision for the Company. This generous gift, when combined with individual and corporate support, will help set the course for future of Louisville Ballet and culture of its community, both on stage and beyond.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Robert’s work and new vision recognized in such a profound and generous way,” said Lisa Patrick Leet, Louisville Ballet’s Board President. “We are incredibly grateful for this donor’s immediate impact on the Company. But we must emphasize that this gift is the first step in creating a new, strong platform for Louisville Ballet’s growth. We still need the strong support of our entire community to sustain this incredible vision.”
Louisville Ballet’s 2015-2016 Season opens October 2-3, 2015 with a reimagined version of Coppélia. Now set in Louisville in the fall of 1917, just before the United States joined World War I, with new choreography by Robert Curran, new scenic designs by local visual artist Jacob Heustis, new costume designs by Louisville Ballet Costume Master Dan Fedie and with live music performed by the Louisville Orchestra, this production marks the beginning of this new artistic vision and the immediate impact of this generous gift.