Our Partners and Policies
At The National Ballet of Canada, we are committed to change and know that there is much more work to do. We have set benchmarks for measuring and increasing diversity within the Board, staff and volunteers and are committed to broadening our recruitment strategies. We consider equity, diversity and inclusion in every decision to ensure these values are front and centre in our work and as we expand our community engagement partnerships and programming.
Our Partners
We are committed to examining ballet practices, traditions, choreography and stories in partnership with cultural consultants and creative collaborators to lead positive change in dance. In 2018, the National Ballet engaged Charles Smith and Kevin A. Ormsby of Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario to provide expertise, guidance and support.
In 2020, the National Ballet engaged Theresa Ruth Howard, an activist, consultant, former dancer and the founder and curator of MoBBallet. The National Ballet is a member of the Cultural Competency and Equity Coalition (C²EC), created by Theresa Ruth Howard; it is a learning community that works to transform the cultural norms within the classical arts.
Final Bow for Yellowface was founded by Georgina Pazcoguin, New York City Ballet Soloist, and Phil Chan, arts administrator and educator, who have asked leaders of ballet companies around the world to sign the Final Bow for Yellowface pledge. We're grateful for Georgina's and Phil's leadership in this area to push companies to recognize outdated concepts, characterizations and representations within the ballet world. Phil has become a trusted partner in our work to educate artists and staff as well as consult about specific questions within the National Ballet's repertoire.
Our Community Partners
The National Ballet partners with various agencies to connect with the community and deliver programming. Moving forward, we aim to strengthen and expand our partnerships in order to reach more members of our community and to do so in a way that is relevant, valuable and respectful.
- An official partner with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the National Ballet is able to offer programming within schools and to partner with schools to address their specific needs. Our artists and Teaching Artists visit and engage with students within their own, familiar learning environments.
- CANOO is a programme of the Institute of Canadian Citizenship that welcomes newcomers to Canada and provides opportunities to explore Canadian arts and culture.
A Code of Conduct and Ethics for All
In July 2019, the National Ballet implemented an institution-wide Code of Conduct and Ethics that must be reviewed and signed annually by staff, artists, volunteers and partners. It states clear expectations of appropriate behaviour in a respectful workplace, along with available reporting mechanisms and an investigative process.
Anti-Bias and Anti-Racism Training
In the fall of 2020 all staff members, artists and Board members received anti-racism/anti-bias training. The sessions were led by Charles Smith and Kevin A. Ormsby of CPAMO and developed with the input of Theresa Ruth Howard. In 2018 and 2023, all staff received training from Canvas Arts Action on trans inclusion and all gender expressions, identities and sexualities to understand better the experiences, language and issues of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
The National Ballet of Canada is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all persons including patrons/customers, employees, contractors, job applicants, volunteers, suppliers and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we will meet and support the needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, as set forth in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and all associated standards and regulations. The National Ballet of Canada will strive to ensure that all policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles outlined in the Act.
Psychological Safety in the Workplace
The company hosted a series of departmental meetings with Dr. Marie Claire Bourque, a respected psychiatrist, speaker and educator with a specialized focus in sports, mental fitness and peak performance. These sessions focus on high performance, psychologically safe work environments and open discussions about how we want to work together to bring the best of ourselves and each other to our collaborative work.
Top Photo: Alexander Skinner. Photo by Karolina Kuras.
