San Francisco Ballet receives US$60 million

In news that will be the envy of the dance world, San Francisco Ballet in the US has announced it has received a gift of 60 million US dollars. It is the largest gift ever given to the company and possibly in America – indeed, the world!

The donor of the money is anonymous.

SFB’s Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo, is “thrilled by this exceptional generosity”. “I came to San Francisco with the goal of introducing new audiences to the ballet, expanding the repertoire, and helping move forward our collective vision of what ballet can be. This gift allows us to invest in innovative works like Mere Mortals, to work with a wide range of talented collaborators, and to change the way ballet is made. I am excited for the company to reach new heights in the coming seasons.”

Of the unprecedented gift, $50 million will go to SF Ballet’s endowment to support the creation and acquisition of new works on an annual basis and in perpetuity, and $10 million will help to secure the financial underpinning of Rojo’s initial seasons.

San Francisco Ballet was founded in 1933 and is the oldest professional ballet company in the United States.

Pictured is Artistic Director Tamara Rojo in front of the company’s home theatre, the War Memorial Opera House.