The Richmond Ballet announced the conclusion of its $10 million dollar Road to the Future campaign to support the five core needs of the ballet: education, national and international touring, creative capital, building enhancements and endowment.
The special moment came from the Dominion Energy Center stage on the Dec. 13 opening night of this year’s “The Nutcracker,” when Artistic Director Stoner Winslett was presented with a surprise $550,000 check for the Richmond Ballet Endowment raised by 40 female community leaders called the “Rubies” in celebration of Ms. Winslett’s 40th “Nutcracker” production and her 40th anniversary as founding artistic director.
From a press release:
The Road to the Future campaign was created to enhance five core needs of Richmond Ballet: Education, National and International Touring, Creative Capital, Building Enhancements, and Endowment. Funds from the campaign have already supported the expansion of scholarships and training of School of Richmond Ballet and Minds In Motion students; the professional company’s tours to China and New York City; the acquisition of new sets, costumes, and choreography; and the renovation of the Canal Street facility’s ground floor and lobby …
Special thanks were given to the Board of Trustees, Road to the Future donors, and, especially, Dave Beran, John Luke, and Tom Farrell who served as co-chairs and lead individual donors for the campaign. Other Lead Gifts acknowledged were Altria, WestRock, Dominion Energy , Elisabeth Reed Carter, Maggie Georgiadis, Mary and Tom Horton, Helga and Floyd Gottwald, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, The Richard S. Reynolds Foundation, The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, The Cabell Foundation, The Windsor Foundation Trust, and the City of Richmond.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped us pave the Road to the Future,” stated Campaign Director and Trustee Emeritus William Hancock. “The money from the campaign will ensure the continued growth of artistic and organizational excellence at Richmond Ballet and allow us to continue our mission to awaken and uplift the human spirt for many years to come.”
