Relevé: Help Us Rise
Ballet Kelowna delivers compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. We envision a place where the performance and practice of dance is fundamental to our Canadian identity.
We depend on your support to provide a solid foundation so we can realize our vision. Costs are not covered by ticket sales alone, so we invite you to become a valued member of and contributor to the Kelowna Ballet Society. As a contributor, you can take pride in the knowledge that you are an integral part of Ballet Kelowna’s continued success and are supporting the growth of dance in the Okanagan, the province, and beyond.
Photo: Abigail Sawchuk
HELP SUPPORT BALLET KELOWNA THIS GIVING SEASON
For our end of year giving campaign, we wanted to do something out-of-the-box, and when Simone Orlando saw the news that Comedian by Maurizio Cattelan, a work consisting of a banana duct taped to a wall, had sold for $6.2 million, she got an idea. In late November, with the help of the company dancers and staff, we took time out of our lunch break to tape 36 used pointe shoes to the wall, creating a playful art installation in our studio. Many of these pointe shoes cost upwards of $150 a pair and are just a small fraction of what a professional dance company goes through in a season. Similar to bananas, pointe shoes of professional dancers may last less than a week, as the canvas and glue that makes up the shoe breaks down quickly with repeated wear. While there are international success stories of artists making millions, many small, regional arts organizations struggle to raise necessary funds while continuing to face increasing costs.
We believe that art should be accessible to everyone, and we are proud of the cutting-edge contemporary dance works that we produce locally, on a shoestring budget. This giving season, your tax-receiptable donation will help Ballet Kelowna continue to elevate Canadian dance through supporting and promoting the innovation and creativity of Canadian dance artists.
The Relevé: Help us Rise campaign appeals for necessary funds that the organization requires to continue everyday operations, including our much-needed pointe shoe fund. “Relevé” in French means “to rise,” and refers to the ballet step in which the dancer rises on their foot into either demi pointe or en pointe. With your help, Ballet Kelowna can rise to new heights as we deliver compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. If you donate $250 or more by December 31, 2024, you will receive a pointe shoe signed by one of our professional dancers – we are also happy to provide a strip of duct tape.
Photo: Emily Cooper / Dancer: Kelsey Hanna
JOIN THE CREATORS’ CIRCLE
Ballet Kelowna offers many exciting benefits to those who choose to contribute $500 or more annually, including opening night receptions, behind-the-scenes tours, and open rehearsals with guest choreographers. By pledging $500 or more, you can join The Creators’ Circle, our exclusive benefits program for annual donors.
To maximize your gift, please consider sending your donation as a cheque. There are fees associated with making an online donation, however, if you send your donation to us by cheque, all funds go directly to Ballet Kelowna. Contributors will receive an official receipt for income tax purposes for donations of $25 and up or by request.
We are so grateful for your support.
Thank you!
Donation Options:
1. CHEQUE
Due to the ongoing postal strike, if you intend to make a donation via cheque, we would appreciate it if it could be dropped off in person.
Please make your cheque payable to:
Kelowna Ballet Society
2283 Leckie Road,
Kelowna, BC
V1X 6Y5
2. E-Transfer
Please e-transfer directly to donate@balletkelowna.ca and fill out the form below so we are able to accurately process your tax receipt.
3. TELEPHONE
We will be happy to process your transaction via phone. Simply have your credit card card ready and call 250-762-6105.
4. ONLINE
If you would like to donate online, please complete the Blackbaud form below. Your gift will be processed through Blackbaud's secure and trusted online platform. If you are donating a gift of $3,000 or more, we kindly encourage you to contact us directly, as there are transaction fees associated with large gifts.
Please note, when you are prompted to enter credit card information to complete payment, a message that reads "Contribute 10% to Blackbaud so they cover 100% of processing fees for all payments" will be on your screen. This box is automatically checked and will add 10% to your donation. We suggest that you uncheck this box. In doing so, there will be no additional charge to you or Ballet Kelowna, and Ballet Kelowna will receive 100% of your donation.