Education & Community
Ballet Idaho impacts our community in a number of ways; both through educational programming that extends our company and faculty into the community and through inviting audiences to come and join us inside our theater venues for special performances. Ballet Idaho’s Educational Outreach and Inreach programs are supported through individual membership gifts as well as through generous contributions from a charitable trust, foundations, and corporate giving.
Our Programs
Learning Through Dance
Learning Through Dance
Ballet Idaho’s Learning Through Dance (LTD) program is in its 20th year. Developed in collaboration with Boise State University, lessons correspond to the 3rd grade curriculum while integrating movement and music. These classes and teaching artists are provided free of charge to schools through generous funding from foundations and grants.
During the 10th and final week is a short performance from Ballet Idaho Academy’s Youth Ensemble, a Q&A, and a student performance, where the students perform their dance and show other steps and concepts they have learned.
Youth Ensemble
The Ballet Idaho Youth Ensemble program encourages the development of each young dancer through experiences that inspire excellence in dance, education, and life. Comprised of upper-level students of Ballet Idaho Academy, our Youth Ensemble performs for third graders at schools participating in our Learning Through Dance (LTD) educational outreach program. Members act as ambassadors of the ballet to Treasure Valley schools and other community venues including Art In The Park, Capitol City Farmer’s Market, Idaho Botanical Gardens, and more.
Student Matinees
Ballet Idaho has partnered with Boise Independent School District and the Morrison Center Arts Education Programs to provide the magic of a live professional ballet performance to school children. Students from the Boise School District as well as schools throughout the Treasure Valley and Idaho view excerpts of our full length ballets at the Morrison Center for Performing Arts. These performances are free of charge through generous funding from sponsors and grants. Each season, the fall, winter, and spring student matinee performances reach over 5,400 students. In conjunction with the student showings, Ballet Idaho provides the teachers with a study guide that provides students with a broader understanding of the performing arts and the historical context behind each production.
By Special Invitation
Our By Special Invitation program provides an opportunity for individuals represented by local organizations from a wide array of socioeconomic backgrounds to attend a full production of Ballet Idaho’s mainstage performances free of charge.
Sponsored blocks of tickets are distributed to partner social service organizations and individuals who would not otherwise have the means or opportunity to attend a live performance. Approximately 2,800 children, veterans, refugees, and their families benefit from the program each season. By Special Invitation furthers a significant part of Ballet Idaho’s core mission; to bring diverse groups of people together for a common experience and communicate through fine music, choreography, performance, scene design and costumes, a deeper understanding of the way in which classic ballet relates to the other arts and the values of Western culture.
Current Beneficiaries
- The Ronald McDonald House
- Breaking Chains Academy of Development
- Brown Like Me
- Open Arms Dance Project
- Interfaith Sanctuary
- Women’s and Children’s Alliance
- Vet Tix
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to experience the ballet. It was potentially a life changing experience for my son, Zeke. Your generosity and the talent of the dancers are wonderful models for my son’s growth. My admiration and gratitude is yours.”
– Headstart parent
Ticket Donation Requests
Ballet Idaho is excited to partner with other 501(c)(3) organizations to create immersive dance performances and educational experiences that are accessible to all. Our ticket donation program is a way for us to fulfill our mission to foster community and help you achieve your fundraising goals. A Voucher good for two tickets to any Ballet Idaho performance, in Section B, is a great way to entice bidders at your event!
All requests must be received at least two weeks prior to your event and four weeks prior to the performance of interest. Upon receipt of your completed form, we will contact you to go over details and availability.