RAISING THE BARRE
Why contemporary dance?
• It is one of our most vital, soul-stirring and expressive art forms.
• Ovations audiences already demonstrate a high level of curiosity in and enthusiasm for the genre.
• Portland is home to a burgeoning community of dancers and dance makers, which we want to help nurture.
Raising the Barre Objectives
• Raise Portland’s visibility nationally as a hub for the presentation and creation of contemporary dance.
• Develop a broader and more engaged community of dance lovers.
• Measureably increase Ovations’ paid audiences.
“Dance comes from the people and should always be given back to the people.” - Alvin Ailey
Raising the Barre is a 3-year, metrics-driven campaign to strengthen all aspects of Portland Ovations’ contemporary dance programming. The initiative will include:
• the presentation of 10 - 12 international-caliber choreographers/dance companies to Portland audiences.
• greatly expanded opportunities for dance enthusiasts to engage with professional dancemakers in social and educational settings.
• new marketing and communication initiatives to significantly increase our dance audiences.
• creation of a modest commissioning fund.
EDUCATE
PRESENT ENGAGE
2016: Maine dancers rehearse for a public performance at Merrill Auditorium with the revered Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company.
Dance performances account for Ovations’ highest number of student discount ticket sales, representing 54% of Ovations’ total subsidized student ticket program.
2012: Ovations premiers, co-commissions and gives a creative residency to Bridgman|Packer Dance’s “Voyeur,” a multi-media dance installation that garnered national funding and awards. Presented in collaboration with the ICA at Maine College of Art.
In the last decade, Ovations has presented 43 performances by 32 companies from five continents and participated in the commission of three new contemporary dance works.
2011: At an intimate Salon, choreographer Doug Varone discusses his work “Chapters from a Broken Novel,” co-commissioned by Ovations and Bates Dance Festival.
Over the last ten years, Ovations has provided 50,000 experiences for dance lovers through performances, masterclasses, workshops, pre-performance lectures, Salons, artist talkbacks and more.
Ovations envisions a leadership circle of Raising the Barre donors to underwrite the campaign. We seek to raise $150,000 through three-year commitments of $50,000 per year. It is anticipated the annual funds would be used as follows:
• $30,000 to bring the highest quality touring dance productions to Portland.
• $15,000 to support expanded marketing, & increase outreach & educational efforts.
• $5,000 to support dance commissions and co-commissioned works.