is a registered s501(c)(3) organization. Tax exempt ID #85-1986524. Mission
Benjamin Briones Ballet is a contemporary ballet company that encourages artistic collaboration at its best, representing the diversity found in the Big Apple. The company has an ongoing commitment of producing extraordinary artistic work and collaborating with artists at the highest level, creating new works that evoke e
motions reaching a cross-section of the public. Collaboration with neoclassical and contemporary choreographers allows the creation of original works that shape the company’s repertoire, offering a diverse vocabulary. The company’s leadership sees its innovative work as a vehicle to give back to the community and bring awareness to society’s current social and political issues through the universal language of dance. For example, one of the most important cultural issues of our time is eco-conservation and environmental awareness. The company’s leadership believes it has an obligation to use dance as a means of bringing such awareness to its audience and inspire the public to play an active role in assisting wildlife and environmental organizations in their conservation fight. It is part of Benjamin Briones Ballet’s mission to help ensure that our community becomes inspired to lead ecologically conscious lives by using the art form of dance as a tool in the same way that, for example, trending tv documentaries do. The company is therefore collaborating with other non-profit organizations, leading wildlife conservationists and scientists,
and others, to create the first full length ballet about turtle conservation, Fergus, set to premier in summer 2022. Benjamin Briones Ballet is in the process of creating the first full length, two act ballet about conservation, Fergus. Choreographed by Artistic Director, Benjamin Briones, and together with other non-profit organizations, leading wildlife conservationists, environmentalists and scientists, Fergus is set to premier in summer/fall 2022. Viewers of all ages will learn about wildlife conservation and the environment and the important issues turtles and tortoises are facing as part of a healthy ecosystem in order to survive on this planet. The company’s leadership aims to make the company one of New York City’s fixtures in terms of dance education and community involvement. Goal & Objectives
The company has an ongoing commitment of producing extraordinary artistic work and collaborating with artists at highest level, creating new works that evoke emotions reaching a cross-section of the public.
1. To engage in numerous outreach and education projects which reach the less fortunate and to perform at least 3-5 times per annum at hospitals, hospices and schools.
2. We aim at ensuring that our performances, events and productions will never cost more than $35 per ticket and always offer a discounted ticket for students, seniors and children.
3. Our programs will take place at various locations that are centrally located in NYC, are easily accessible by car and public transportation, and ADA compliant.
4. We perform at international dance festivals and at several US locations upon invitation.
5. When curating our seasons’ performances, we carefully select a diverse array of artists and collaborators that represent New York City and its cultural diversity.
6. Our events and programs carefully consider the needs and interests of New York’s residents so that we can produce relevant and timely programs.
7. In September 2019, we opened our doors and created levels of membership ranging from $80 to $5,000 in return for support and collaboration with our audience and following, offering a range of benefits to such patrons.
8. To maintain and better our financial health and well-being:-
A. We will produce events and programs with greater revenue than expenses;
B. We will seek to collaborate with our existing 12 patrons obtained since September 2019;
C. We will apply for sponsorship from various corporations and foundations that offer funding to the arts;
D. We will diversity our support income by adding regular city grant support;
E. We will increase our tickets sales by at least 5 percent per event.
9. To partner with similar organizations, businesses and artists interested in cross promotion and shared marketing throughout the county:-
A. We will continue working with current partners such as choreographers, musicians, producers and other artists (Nelessa Walthour, Beatriz Madrid, Dorothea and Rafael Figueroa of the Metropolitan Opera)
B. We will solicit new partnerships with organizations that complement our mission. BBB has actively strived to reach a diverse, broad-based audience, through innovative live and virtual performances, community outreach, and non-profit cooperative activities. Audience members reflect the diverse, multicultural, multigenerational populations of New York, many of whom represent historically underrepresented communities. Artistic Director Benjamin Briones teaches at universities many high calibers dance schools, founded Mid-Pointe Project for Mature Dancers, and works in stage management, thereby attracting a wide range of viewers. The company has a policy of admitting, free of charge, audience members unable to afford to
purchase a ticket. It often performs for a suggested donation. This policy has encouraged many people the opportunity to access dance. As a result, the demographics of its audience has expanded significantly. The company is actively reaching out to members of the NYC community and beyond. BBB is regularly performing for in-patients and staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and The W. 74th St. Residence for Senior Citizens. It has performed for many non-profit organizations, such as Turtle Conservancy, WordShed NYC, Hudson River Park River Project and NYC Dance Week. BBB was represented at 1455 Literary Festival and performed at many dance festivals, including HigherGround Festival this August. The company’s board includes members who are Latinx, LGBTQIA, African American, as well as members from various religious communities, who in turn expand the company’s audience members to their respective communities. The importance of diversity and inclusion in both the company and its
audience is reflected in the company’s social media pages and its fast-growing e-database. A high company priority is to expand its creative reach to as wide an audience as possible.
