Ballet Arts Foundation

“Form 990 is prepared by an independent cpa using information provided by the finance director and bookkeeper. A draft is reviewed by the board president, treasurer and artistic director. Upon their approval, a copy is provided to the entire board prior to filing.”

“The organization utilizes information from the dance data project and americans for the arts to access salaries for our key positions: artistic director, production manager, associate artistic director and school director. The comparisons are with other organizations of similar budget size and organizational activities. These comparisons are ranked by region, as well. Once we have consulted these research tools, the finance committee determines salaries. Merit is taken into consideration. All salaries are approved by the board of directors in the budgeting process which begins seven months before the start of the upcoming fiscal year. As the artistic director is currently acting as ceo, hers is the only salary that the board sets. The board is made aware of (and in approving the annual budget approves) all salaries for employees.”

“Corporate information is available on the arizona corporation commission website. The 990 will be published on ballet tucson's website and upon request for financial information, a copy of the most recently filed form 990 will be provided. Form 990 is also available on www.guidestar.org and www.irs.gov.”

“The ballet arts foundation board of directors is all volunteer. 3-5 volunteers assist at each performance (front and back of house production aspects). We also utilize parent volunteers from the school of ballet tucson to assist with the fall performance and nutcracker. We also utilize a small number of volunteers for our annual gala, sugar plum tea.”

“Ballet tucson was established in 1986 by mary beth cabana with the goal of creating a world-class professional ballet company and school in southern arizona. In the spring of 2022, margaret mullin, a tucson native, was named artistic director alongside chieko imada, ballet tucson's associate artistic director and resident choreographer. Ms. Mullin trained at the school of ballet tucson on a full scholarship before her fourteen-year career as a leading dancer and choreographer with pacific northwest ballet in seattle. Danielle and liang fu, accomplished dancers and teachers with a combined thirty-seven years of experience internationally, were named directors of the school of ballet tucson in the summer of 2022. The ballet tucson company brings five unique concerts to the stage annually that feature beloved classics and innovative new works by acclaimed choreographers, performed by professional dancers from around the world. Performances include three repertory seasons, consisting of four performances in each program (12 mixed repertory performances). The company also produces footprints at the fox, an opportunity for apprentices in the company to set ballets on apprentices for public performance. One choreographer's work is selected by the audience to be presented in the spring season danced by professional members of ballet tucson. The highlight of the season is ballet tucson's production of the nutcracker ballet. The company performs five performances reaching over 8,000 audience members, many of them children. Through our kidztkts program, we distribute hundreds of free tickets to area high school students. In total, ballet tucson offers professional performances to over 10,000 - 12,000 tucson and southern arizona residents. The tucson symphony orchestra plays tchaikovsky's magical score with the full orchestra in the pit. The school of ballet tucson provides exceptional dance training to students of all ages from accomplished instructors. Our students receive advanced training in a variety of styles, helping them to become versatile and well-rounded dancers. We are dedicated to providing an encouraging environment for each student that focuses on creativity, artistry, and personal growth. We strive to deliver educational experiences that foster a deep love and appreciation for dance, and skills that will serve our students in all aspects of their lives. Students of our school have the opportunity to perform alongside our professional ballet tucson company dancers in select productions, including our award-winning production of the nutcracker. We also provide performance opportunities specifically highlighting our students. Ballet tucson is committed to building community around the art of dance through outreach initiatives, including free pop-up performances, arts education classes in public schools, the ballet banter lecture series and a ticket subsidy program. Ballet tucson is also proud to collaborate with other treasured local cultural organizations to provide enriching arts experiences. This includes a vibrant partnership with the tucson symphony orchestra, tucson museum of art, mexican consulate for mexican independence day festivities, tucson desert song festival and many other tucson local organizations.”

“Artistic professionals: program service expenses 93,803. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 93,803. Nonemployee compensation: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 6,150. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 6,150. Grant writer: program service expenses 0. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 24,599. Total expenses 24,599. Production crew: program service expenses 95,564. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 95,564.”