Les Grands Ballets is committed to giving back to the community and participating in the cultural education of future generations. For 25 years now, the Nutcracker Fund has enabled us to share The Nutcracker magic with children less advantaged than others.
Reflecting a desire to democratize ballet, to include and to offer everyone access to art, this educational program proposes a complete immersion in the world of The Nutcracker. When it was created, in 1997, the program made it possible for us to invite 600 children to a performance of The Nutcracker and offered workshops for 100 kids.
Thanks to the support of numerous loyal donors and partners, the Nutcracker Fund has endured and grown, to the point where 2,800 sick or underprivileged children are invited free of charge to the show, with 1,400 of them benefiting from workshops on the theme of ballet, in schools and in foundations.
To broaden access to our shows still more, a number of performances or rehearsals are also open during the season to vulnerable individuals, at Place des Arts and in our private theater, as part of the laid-back performances.
It should be noted that this fund also supports the annual refurbishment of sets and costumes for The Nutcracker, which has been on the bill for nearly 60 years!
(Photo: Baptiste Varenne)
Thanks to the exceptional support of our partners and donors, over $470,000 were raised during the 2022 edition of the Nutcracker Fund.
After two editions interrupted by the pandemic, it is with great emotion that we were finally able to offer a complete program, dedicating a full matinee of The Nutcracker to children on December 13th, as well as organizing workshops in schools and foundations throughout the fall.
We will meet again in the Fall of 2023 for the 26th edition of The Nutcracker Fund, which we hope will continue to break records to share benevolence and wonder with all.
Each year, a complete performance of The Nutcracker with orchestra is presented, free of charge, to 2,800 children, specifically:
1,400 children who are sick or facing adversity coming from foundations selected by our donors and partners, as well as the following foundations selected by Les Grands Ballets :
During the season, several dress rehearsals or performances are open to youngsters living with particular challenges, in our Studio-Théâtre or at Place des Arts. This allows them to attend our shows in a more relaxed setting, without having to worry about disturbing their neighbors if they feel like moving around, finding a spot to see better, or audibly expressing their enthusiasm!
Workshops in schools
Every fall, nearly 250 workshops in dance and visual arts are animated by artists in 21 schools selected by A Montréal School for All (a Québec Department of Education program) for 1,400 students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. An opportunity to enter the world of The Nutcracker in a fun, participatory and creative way. It is also a wonderful approach to stimulating a taste for the arts and building self-esteem, which contributes to combat school drop-out.
The dancers from Les Grands Ballets also regularly visit children in foundations or hospitals selected by our partners and donors. A compassionate way of bringing a bit of holiday-season magic to those who cannot necessarily get around.
Did you know that The Nutcracker holds the record for the longest-running production on the same stage in Canada? The Fund provides support for the annual refurbishment of costumes and sets for the show, which has been presented for what will soon be 60 years!
Help support our mission and sustain this educational program by contributing to the financing of its activities.
Your contribution notably supports the invitation of 200 students from disadvantaged neighborhoods to the educational matinée in December 2023.
Your contribution notably supports the invitation of 80 students from disadvantaged neighborhoods to the educational matinée in December 2023.
Your contribution notably supports the invitation of 40 students from disadvantaged neighborhoods to the educational matinée in December 2023.
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