Community Rallies for BalletRox After Federal Grant Loss
Roxbury & Jamaica Plain, MA – BalletRox, a beloved nonprofit ballet school with studios in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, is experiencing an outpouring of community support after losing a crucial $30,000 federal grant from the National Endowment for the Arts earlier this month. The grant was vital for sustaining the school’s scholarship program, which provides full scholarships to around 40 percent of its students, ages 3 to 18.
Board Chair Jane Allard expressed her gratitude, stating that nearly $18,000 has already been raised through emergency fundraising efforts, exceeding their initial target of $10,000. “The support has been overwhelming and affirming,” she noted.
Despite the positive response, Allard emphasized that BalletRox is not out of the woods yet. They may need to cut fall events and classes due to the financial strain. With a program serving 100 dancers in the studio and reaching 600 to 700 students annually through Boston Public Schools and external programs, Allard highlighted the importance of arts education. A restaurant fundraiser will be announced soon as the community continues to rally around BalletRox in these challenging times.
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