News
Announcing a Landmark Gift from Joan and Jerry Lozinski
Artistic Director Position Endowed
by Barry Hughson, Executive Director
November 4, 2021
As we approach opening night of the 2021/22 season, I am honoured to announce a transformational gift that will impact The National Ballet of Canada for generations to come. The position of Artistic Director has been endowed in perpetuity with a landmark gift from Joan and Jerry Lozinski, two of the company’s most ardent supporters. The position will now be known as the Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director.
Hope Muir’s arrival coincides with this historic gift from Joan and Jerry. Their visionary support speaks to the passion and commitment that runs through our entire donor family and we are profoundly grateful for their generosity. Hope will be the first Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director starting January 1, 2022.
Over the course of their nearly four decades long relationship with the company, Joan and Jerry have offered their insight, advice and heartfelt commitment to further the goals of the company. Jerry was a member of the Board from 2001 to 2018 and a member of the Endowment Foundation Board from 2006 to 2020. He is currently a member of the Honourary Board in recognition of his extraordinary volunteer service and philanthropy to the company.
Joan and Jerry have been members of the Patrons’ Council since 1983 and have made leadership gifts to many campaigns, including the Bold Steps Campaign for The Walter Carsen Centre and The Gretchen Ross Production Centre. Their $1 million gift to the Endowment Foundation in 2006 sparked the beginnings of a campaign that would eventually launch publicly as the Soaring Campaign, and they are recognized for completing the campaign with their $1 million matching gift. They are members of The Producers’ Circle and sponsor Principal Dancer Siphesihle November through the Dancers First programme.
With Joan and Jerry’s most recent gift to the Endowment Foundation and the establishment of The Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director Fund, the National Ballet becomes the only performing arts organization in Canada with an endowed Artistic Director position and one of a handful of ballet companies in North America with this distinction.
In light of the significance of this gift, we will acknowledge Joan and Jerry from the stage on opening night. Join me in extending our heartfelt gratitude to Joan and Jerry for all they have done and continue to do to make the National Ballet one of the finest ballet companies on the world stage.