Ballet Black

Our Mission

Ballet Black was founded in 2001 with a mission to make a fundamental change in the diversity of mainstream classical ballet - on stage, behind the scenes, and among audiences & participants. We recognise the importance of providing visible, diverse role models in ballet. Our professional company is made up of eight dancers of Black and Asian descent from around the world. We create award-winning new work that is bold and distinctive, both live and on film, that tours the UK and internationally.

We also develop talent at the early stages of ballet through our subsidised Junior School & Associate Programme, providing professionally taught ballet classes led by teachers of diverse heritage to children and young people aged 3 to 18. Our Junior Associate Programme is designed to support and inspire girls and young women aged 12 to 16 during the crucial pre-vocational stage of ballet training. This cements our commitment to reaching a critical mass of young people for whom the artform of ballet has historically been closed and is part of our contribution to diversifying ballet in the UK.

We challenge perceptions in ballet, promote greater inclusion in dance training, and are growing audience diversity for ballet and the wider dance sector across the UK. We are also playing a vital role in advocating wider societal change through our industry-changing collaborations, such as working with Freed of London to create the first UK made pointe shoes for Black, Asian, and culturally diverse dancers.