Springfield Ballet

In 1976, the Springfield Civic Ballet, Inc. was founded as a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the efforts of creating a ballet company to perform throughout the four state area; to offer a comprehensive dance curriculum; to make available first-class performances by visiting professional dance companies, films, etc.; and to help focus interest on the arts. A premiere performance was held at the Springfield Art Museum in November 1976, with the first ballet open to the public performed in March 1977. In 1998, the official name of the organization changed to Springfield Ballet, Inc. Springfield Ballet moved into its first ballet studio in 1979 and in the fall of 1986, moved to the Frances Vandivort Center (now Hotel Vandivort). After several more moves throughout the years, the Ballet relocated to its current location in 2005 at The Creamery Arts Center. In 2012, the mission of the Ballet was revised to read, “Springfield Ballet, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of ballet through premier education, performance, outreach, and collaboration,” to better reflect its emphasis on growing a school and enhancing its position as an arts education resource. The Ballet now produces two full length ballets each season at the historic Landers Theatre. Springfield Ballet, Inc. continues to operate a reputable ballet school that provides classical ballet instruction for ages 2–adult. In addition, the Ballet performs in a number of community events and administers several outreach programs focusing on under-served children in the area. A 19-member Board of Directors governs the Springfield Ballet. The Board is comprised of individuals in the community with varied and diversified backgrounds. The Ballet Guild, a subsidiary of Springfield Ballet, is active in supporting social and production related activities of the organization through financial resources and volunteers.