Ballet Forward

Empowering Youth in Canada to address Equity, Reconciliation and Anti-Black Racism in Ballet

"Art has always been an expression of the human experience. But when an art form fails to respect the dignity of others, it fails as an art form." – Planning committee of the 2022 Addressing Racialization in Ballet Symposium

To strengthen the language of ballet and make it more relevant and accessible, the delivery and the creative process of ballet must resonate with and reflect the full diversity of our society. Canada’s National Ballet School’s (NBS) Ballet Forward will empower and mobilize youth across Canada to address equity, reconciliation and anti-Black racism in ballet (and dance).

Lead evolutions in ballet

Our 30 Youth Assembly Members are passionate about making ballet and the arts more inclusive and accessible to all Canadians. Selected through a country-wide application process, the Youth Assembly will lead an initiative to mobilize 3,000+ young people ages 7-30 across Canada to engage in dialogues and actions in their communities to address inequities in ballet and to advance the evolution of the art form.

Being a Youth Assembly Member means leading dialogues and actions to advance equity in ballet in communities and regions throughout the country. The Youth Assembly will provide its members the opportunity to connect and collaborate with young leaders throughout Canada and work alongside mentors, experts in dance, and community partners. 

With dance as a foundation for connection and collaboration, Youth Assembly Members will be encouraged to examine and understand the cultural impact and significance of ballet on a global scale. As these young leaders collaborate with other youth to identify necessary evolutions in the art form, they will be a part of equity-informed actions leading to systemic changes.

The responsibilities of a Youth Assembly Member may include, but are not limited to:

• Attending a minimum of 1-2 meetings per month (virtual and in-person)

• Developing social media content and promotional materials to mobilize youth

• Planning and hosting 3-4 Learning Sessions with guest speakers

• Disseminating pre- and post-surveys for Ballet Forward activities and events

• Documenting and record-keeping the progress of the overall project

Applications are now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted an application.