Michigan Arts Orgs to Support | April 21, 2025
- John Sloan III
- Apr 21
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
Grand Rapids Ballet and Mosaic Youth Theatre -- two Michigan Institutions with artistic excellence and education at the center of their work.
Grand Rapids and Detroit might be on opposite sides of the state, but both cities are rich with culture and artistry. This week, Encore Michigan highlights two Arts Orgs (one in each city) that don't believe you have to choose between artistic excellence and education.
Grand Rapids Ballet | Grand Rapids, MI | www.grballet.com | @grapidsballet
“Grand Rapids Ballet is Michigan’s only professional classical ballet company, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a stated mission to lift the human spirit through the art of dance.”
About:
Under the artistic leadership of James Sofranko since 2018, the company has made an exciting transformation that has attracted world-class dancers and choreographers, generating local, national, and international attention. The company consists of 20 professional dancers and an additional apprentice and trainee program. Frequent collaborative partners include the Grand Rapids Symphony, Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, and the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Grand Rapids Ballet presents numerous styles of dance from some of the finest choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Access & Excellence Committee Statement:
Grand Rapids Ballet’s Access & Excellence Committee, comprised of members from the Grand Rapids Ballet Board of Directors, Artistic Director, Executive Director, School Director, dancers, and staff members, is dedicated to expanding access to experience world-class dance. Our Access & Excellence Committee is committed to helping the Grand Rapids Ballet become an operationally and artistically excellent organization.
Education:
Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Dance Immersion Program was established in 2010 when we began offering classes at Coit Creative Arts Academy, teaching one weekly class to 300 students.
Grand Rapids Ballet School: Grand Rapids Ballet School offers dance classes for all ages and experience levels, beginning with ballet training for students ages 3-19, plus adult and Adaptive Dance classes. GRBS offers classes with individual attention, personalized mentorship, choreographic and performance opportunities, live piano accompaniment, and a supportive community of dancers dedicated to achieving their goals.
Ways to Support:
Grand Rapids Ballet offers several avenues for support. Those interested in volunteering, donating, or sponsoring can visit www.grballet.com/support-us
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Mosaic Youth Theatre | Detroit, MI | www.mosaicdetroit.org | @mosaicdetroit
Mosaic’s mission is to create pathways to equity and opportunity through arts experiences that engage, transform, and inspire youth and communities.”
About:
Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit empowers Detroit area youth with the skills they need to achieve excellence: on stage and in life. Through intentional, innovative programming, youth engage in comprehensive arts training, professional mentorship, and college & career pathways support to cultivate leaders and life-long learners.
Programmatic goals can be consolidated across these four strategic pillars:
CREATE confident, creative thinkers through comprehensive pre-professional arts training, leadership, and personal development.
CONNECT youth to professional artists/mentors and development opportunities, equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive through adulthood.
PREPARE young artists for college & career pathways within the creative industry and other industries requiring creative problem solving, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and 21st-century skills.
AMPLIFY the voices of young people and empower them as the next generation of leaders, artists, ambassadors, and advocates for a thriving Detroit.
Since 1992….
Empower – 97% of Mosaic youth ensemble members believe that they are capable of achieving their goals due to an investment of 2500 contact hours in career and college readiness, pre-professional arts training, and leadership development provided each season.
Educate – Most Mosaic youth ensemble members graduate with a 3.0 or higher and 97% of Mosaic young artists are accepted into college.
Engage – Mosaic’s annual live and virtual performances enable young artists to fully immerse in the arts with over 6500 contact hours each season.
Ways to Give:
You can support Mosaic Youth Theatre by visiting www.mosiacdetroit.org/donate-now
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