Like many of you, we are heartbroken and horrified by the rise in anti-Asian racism and violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities throughout our country. We stand with our own Louisville Ballet AAPI family – our dancers, colleagues, students, audiences, and volunteers – by strongly condemning these acts of hatred and racist violence. 

As we have stated: 

Louisville Ballet believes that racial injustice and inequality are unacceptable in every aspect of our lives.

We believe that access to the arts and artistic expression are for everyone. We believe the right to be seen, to be safe, and to be heard is for everyone. Everything we do at Louisville Ballet is about storytelling, profound learning and shared experiences. We believe that these shared experiences allow us to try to understand each other, to be humble, and to be better.

We love our Louisville home, but we also believe that it can be better. We know our own industry can be better. And while we have much work to do, we understand that this is important work. We are committed to this change.

We all have a role to play.

We raise our voice in support of positive transformation – of ourselves, our city, and our country – to embrace and value the humanity in us all.

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We urge you to do what you can to #StopAAPIHate. Spread awareness, speak up, and share resources. This recent Time Magazine article includes several links to ways to donate, volunteer, and support the AAPI community. 

And as a performing arts organization, Louisville Ballet is committed to the work of challenging and changing stereotypes within our art form as well as amplifying the work of AAPI artists and choreographers. We have been actively working with Final Bow since 2018, founded by Georgina Pazcoguin, New York City Ballet soloist, and Phil Chan, arts administrator and educator, an organization committed to asking dance leaders to a pledge that states: 

“I love ballet as an art form, and acknowledge that to achieve a diversity amongst our artists, audiences, donors, students, volunteers, and staff, I am committed to eliminating outdated and offensive stereotypes of Asians (Yellowface) on our stages.”

We also encourage you to support Asia Institute | Crane House for a Louisville-based perspective on the rich cultural history of Asian Americans in our community, and to find ways to actively connect, engage, and support this community. Follow them on Facebook for resources and actions you can take right now.