In 2023, Ballet Des Moines announced a ground-breaking partnership with EMC to transform a vacant corner in the heart of downtown Des Moines into a vibrant arts campus and new home for Iowa’s resident professional ballet company. The campus would more than double the previous space inhabited by the growing dance company and also serve the broader nonprofit, arts, and creative communities.
“This campus will serve as a catalyst for creative collisions for all – our artists, our students, our workforce, and our visitors.”
With more than 100 state-wide partners, Ballet Des Moines’ new campus would act as a headquarters for nonprofits, educators, artists, and leaders to improve outcomes and quality of life across our region through interdisciplinary opportunities, housing programs from Choreography and Coding with the Girl Scouts to a Fall Prevention Class in partnership with Above and Beyond Cancer.
“Ballet Des Moines lives their values by creating programming that meets people where they are by intentionally collaborating across sectors to integrate and amplify the power of the arts.”
With large windows into active, exemplary art and educational work right in the heart of downtown Des Moines, the campus provides opportunities for city residents and employees to engage with art every day, whether walking past a window, attending an event, or dropping off a young dancer.
“Ballet Des Moines’ continued excellence is vital to the ongoing strength of our city’s arts community. From iconic classics to contemporary and cutting edge new works, their performances are invigorating for the community, and I am excited about what the future holds for this impressive company.”
The campus was made possible through a capital campaign, which included a transformational $3m gift from Nix and Virginia Lauridsen to establish and name the facility. With their support, not only was the vision for this new cultural destination brought to life, but a robust endowment was created to support ongoing expansion of programming and performances with live music.
“The Ballet Des Moines campus will not only bring people and organizations together to experience, create, and celebrate the arts, but will catalyze transformation in downtown Des Moines and beyond.”
Today, the campus houses a vast array of programs and opportunities, including adult dance classes taught by BDM company members, free ballet for Black & Brown youth through our partnership with SEEDs, studio performances, Beer & Ballet, educational workshops, and pop up yoga classes.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our generous campaign donors!
$1,000,000+
LAURIDSEN FAMILY FOUNDATION
$500,000 +
EMC Insurance
$250,000 +
The Ruan Foundation
$100,000 +
American Equity
Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
Krause Gentle Foundation
Polk County Board of Supervisors
Prairie Meadows
$50,000 +
Bravo Greater Des Moines
Sammons Financial Group
$25,000+
Anonymous
Andrea & Greg Abel
Kay Myers
Sunnie Richer & Roger Brooks
Connie Wimer
$10,000+
Joyce & Rick Chapman
Dr. Richard Deming
The Graham Group
Jaina & Chuck Johnson
Joany & Mic Jurgens
Ric & Carol Jurgens
Linda & Tom Koehn
Amy Kristof-Brown & Kenneth Brown
Colleen & Jerry Patterson
Tom Smull & Liz Gilman
West Bank
$5,000+
Kirk & Cathy Besh
Pamela Bass-Bookey & Harry Bookey
Kathy & Bill Fehrman
Allison & Jim Fleming
Hy-Vee
Diane & Dr. Keith Krell
Neumann Brothers, Inc.
Agnieszka Pieta & Dak Kaye
Joey Patino & Peter Larkin
Pigott
Natasha & Zack Sayles
Nancy Shafer
Shannon Sole & Joseph Moser
Kim & Chuck Swanson
Lisa-Marie & Simon Wright
Under $5,000
Kelly Caldbeck & Ted Thoms
Michaela & Nathan Carhoff
Martha & Jim Fifield
Carrie & Jeff Fleming
ITA Group Foundation
Mike Lovell
Alissa McKinney & Matt Gannon
O’Halloran Family Foundation
Bridget Penick