CINCINNATI — The pandemic has derailed or changed everything about the performing arts industry. From canceling live shows, to changing to a digitally presented format and more — the past year-plus has been a great challenge.
But a string of good fortune is on the way. Through planning and generosity, the Cincinnati Ballet is a few short months away from relocating to a new state-of-the-art dance center thanks to nearly $31 million in donations.
Cincinnati Ballet President and CEO Scott Altman said this new facility will bring the ballet into the future.
“It takes us to places due to size and facility restraints we were never before able to achieve,” Altman said.
Margaret and Michael Valentine, longtime Cincinnati Ballet patrons and supporters, were the first to support the project. They committed $10 million, the largest one-time gift in Cincinnati Ballet history, to name and memorialize the Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance.
“We are honored to be a part of this historic project,” Margaret Valentine said. “Cincinnati is fortunate to have such a thriving arts sector, and I think it’s important for members of our community to give back. I understand the importance of demonstrating leadership for projects that benefit the city and the new Valentine Center for Dance will provide many cultural and educational opportunities to the region.”
The new Center for Dance will feature nine studios with 57,000-square-feet of space, as well as an outdoor Community Terrace and Performance Plaza adjacent to Johnston Park.
No one is more excited about the new space than the dancers who will use the space every day because it’s been a trying time for them over the past year-plus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Melissa Gelfin De-Poli is the Principal Ballet Dancer for the Cincinnati Ballet.
It’s something she’s been working toward her whole life. But nothing could prepare her for the changes caused by COVID-19.
“I think I spent March, April, May, June — I think like four or five months in my living room training,” Gelfin De-Poli said.
She said the pandemic has caused the Cincinnati Ballet to pivot but it’s something they’ve adjusted to.
“It’s quite miraculous,” Gelfin De-Poli said. “We’ve had a season, we’ve had to, again — it’s not a perfect season, it’s not a normal season, but we have had a season when most people have not.”
Fellow Dancer and Choreographer Taylor Carrasco said there’s been no shortage of obstacles.
“It’s absolutely been a challenge, but something that everyone has gone into extremely collaboratively to make it work,” Carrasco said. “To keep us working and keep making a paycheck.”
“To achieve this during this time period has really been unprecedented,” Altman said.
Their achievements this past year has the performers looking ahead to what’s in the near future.
“It’s just gonna give everyone involved and everyone who steps through the doors big opportunities,” Carrasco said.
“It’s almost like the start of something new and what perfect timing as we’re coming out of this incredibly challenging time with the pandemic,” Gelfin De-Poli said. “It’s amazing. I really can’t put into words what it’s going to be like walking into that building.”
For the first time in Cincinnati Ballet history, the organization will own its own building at 1801 Gilbert Ave.
Located at the foot of Eden Park, the new Center for Dance will also anchor the Walnut Hills Arts Corridor. It is expected to soft-open in June.
