The Alameda County Arts Commission has announced the 2024 recipients of the ARTSFUND Grant. Among those is Alameda Civic Ballet (ACB), a dance company founded in 1974 and most known for its annual performance of The Nutcracker. The company received $2,500.
Ballet in the Bay Area has a rich history that traces back to the early 20th century. The first significant milestone came in 1933 with the founding of the San Francisco Ballet, the oldest professional ballet company in the United States, according to its website. Under the direction of Adolph Bolm and later Willam Christensen, San Francisco Ballet became a cultural force, premiering the first full-length American productions of Coppélia and Swan Lake. Throughout the 20th century, the company expanded and solidified its reputation as a world-class institution.
Smaller companies and dance schools have also contributed to the vibrant dance community. Ballet companies like Oakland Ballet, founded in 1965 by Ronn Guidi, played a crucial role in preserving and reimagining classical works while also supporting contemporary choreographers. Today, 31 ballet companies call the greater San Francisco Bay Area home.
ACB’s The Nutcracker begins each year with a flurry of activity. Auditions are open-call, so dancers who are not affiliated with the company are welcome and encouraged to try out. Rehearsals start months in advance, transforming the studio into a hive of activity as dancers of all ages prepare for their moment in the spotlight. From the youngest students taking on the role of cute mice to the seasoned professionals performing as the Sugar Plum Fairy, each participant plays a vital role in bringing this classic holiday tale to life.
The production, which premiered in 1974, has grown into a cornerstone of the company’s season, drawing audiences from across the Bay Area. With its combination of intricate dance routines, whimsical scenery and the ever-popular score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the performance embodies the spirit of the holidays and provides a magical experience for both young and old.
The show is renowned for its elaborate sets and costumes, which are the result of a collaborative effort between local artists and volunteers. Each year, the company’s design team works tirelessly to create an immersive experience that transports the audience to a fantastical world. The transformation of the stage from a cozy family home to the grandeur of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s kingdom is a testament to the creativity and dedication of the entire team.
But to put on a show of this caliber costs money—lots of it. That’s why ACB Board President Rachel Lee expressed her gratitude to the Alameda County Arts Commission in a recent interview.
In saying why she believed ACB deserved the grant, Lee cited the Nutcracker’s “professional production, gorgeous costumes, beautiful sets and stunning production,” adding, “Alameda Civic Ballet does a great job producing this very high-quality production. These funds will help us run the show.”
Some of the costs the fund will help cover include the cost of the dance teachers, theater rentals, and costumes and seamstresses. Each student must pay a $150 fee to offset the costs of production. The company recently moved to a 500-seat theater in the Castro Valley Center of Performing Arts after Kofman Auditorium, in Alameda, was ruled no longer safe to use for the performance due to its age.
The show typically includes around 130 students, with participants from age 5 through pre-professional (18).
Students are also rejoicing at the school’s reception of the ARTSFUND Grant. Lauren Pace, 17, a senior at Alameda High School, has danced with Alameda Civic Ballet since the age of 3. In addition to spring recitals through Alameda Ballet Academy (ABA), she has performed in every annual Nutcracker since 2011. Going into the studio five to six times a week, she says she is grateful for the community ACB has allowed her to build.
“I’ve made some of my best friends here over the years, and we’ve gotten so close,” Pace said.
Accessibility in the dance world is a cause that resonates with Pace. Annual tuition for reputable dance schools ranges from $1,000 to $5,000, not including the cost of pointe shoes, costumes and other gear, which can add several hundred dollars per year. This financial barrier is compounded by a lack of diversity in ballet, where only about 2% of dancers in major American companies are Black, according to Dance/USA, reflecting a broader issue of underrepresentation that limits the art form’s appeal and accessibility to diverse communities.
That’s why Pace started Blacktop Ballet, an educational program that helps aspiring ballerinas gain more knowledge about the craft. With the help of her mother and friends, Pace designed the curriculum and taught a class of 12 people, which included students and families.
“I think everyone had a good time, which was my main goal,” Pace said. “And they left having learned a little bit about ballet.”
The ARTSFUND Grant not only supports the productions at ACB, but also allows students like Pace to create their own initiatives to promote ballet. Though she will only be a student through ABA for the next year before heading off to college, Pace is glad she had the support of staff and colleagues to make an impact in the local dance community.
The Alameda ARTSFUND Grant Program is a key initiative designed to support and enhance the local arts community in Alameda. Administered by the City of Alameda’s Office of Economic Development, the program provides financial assistance to nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists to help fund a variety of creative projects and activities.
The ARTSFUND Grant aims to foster a vibrant cultural landscape by supporting projects that contribute to the artistic and cultural enrichment of the community. Eligible projects may include performances, exhibitions, educational workshops, and other arts-related activities that benefit the public and engage the community.
Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, with funding priorities given to projects that demonstrate artistic excellence, community impact and the potential for long-term benefits. The program seeks to support a diverse range of artistic disciplines and practices, ensuring that the arts remain an integral part of life in Alameda.
Applications for the ARTSFUND Grant are typically accepted once a year, with specific deadlines and guidelines outlined on the City of Alameda’s website. Organizations and artists interested in applying are encouraged to review the program requirements carefully and prepare their proposals in accordance with the provided criteria.
