Joburg Ballet has launched a targeted fundraising campaign called En Pointe: Dance With Us to assist the company meet the costs of pointe shoes. Announcing the campaign, Joburg Ballet CEO Elroy Fillis-Bill described pointe shoes as “an essential tool of the trade dancers need to express themselves on stage; no pointe shoes means no ballet.”
He added: “The high cost of pointe shoes presents a challenge for ballet companies around the world and Joburg Ballet is no exception, but with support we can ensure our dancers continue captivating audiences with their stunning performances.”
“30,000 people saw Joburg Ballet perform across stages in South Africa in 2024. The support we hope to engender with this pointe shoe funding campaign can ensure Joburg Ballet continues to thrive and inspire audiences with the beauty and grace of ballet. Together, we can make a difference, one step at a time!”
Fillis-Bell outlined some of the benefits of supporting the fund. Contributors who set up a recurring monthly debit order of as little as R300 will, by the end of the year, cover the cost of one pair of pointe shoes and the courier fees for a dancer – thereby making a direct impact on their daily work. Those making a regular contribution such as this will receive regular updates on the impact of their support, including stories and photos from dancers.
At the end of each year, contributors who maintain their debit order for the full year will receive an autographed pointe shoe and a personalised gift from the specific dancer who benefited from their contributions, providing a meaningful connection between donors and the artists they support. Higher contributions are, of course, welcome.
Joburg Ballet will offer each supporter who is a registered tax payer with SARS a Section 18A certificate to acknowledge their donation in their SARS personal income tax returns for the financial year ending on 28 February.
Information about how to support the En Point: Dance with Us campaign is available on Joburg Ballet’s website – https://www.joburgballet.com/pointe-shoe-fund.html
