Four-Year Challenge Grant to Establish National Residency Program

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has appropriated $5 million to American Ballet Theatre to support ABT’s National Residency Program and endow national touring, it was announced today by ABT Executive Director Rachel S. Moore.

The Mellon Foundation award, the largest ever awarded to a performing arts institution, will fund ABT’s National Residency Program through which the Company will develop stronger ties with national audiences in four critical regions of the U.S.: the Midwest, Southeast, West Coast and Capitol area. The National Residency Program will expand ABT’s presence in these regions through a constellation of activities including residencies with local universities, educational programs for school-age children and dancer training.

To strengthen ABT’s National Residency, $3.5 million of the award will be directed toward the Company’s endowment to secure the long-range stability of the program. The additional $1.5 million will be directed toward the Company’s general operating fund over four years in order to support the direct costs of instituting the program. The Mellon award is a challenge grant for which ABT is required to seek matching funds.

Commenting on the award, Rachel Moore said, “The Mellon Foundation’s award will have a tremendous impact on our overall mission of building ABT’s tradition of artistic excellence. By allowing us to bring dance of the highest quality to audiences across the United States, the Mellon Foundation has given a gift not only to ABT, but to the entire country. This grant will not only strengthen our financial position, it will allow us to expand ABT’s brand as America’s National Ballet Company.”

Back To ABT News >>