MISSION & VISION

MISSION

The mission of Ballet Des Moines is to enrich lives through inspiring dance performances, inclusive education and outreach programs, and innovative community partnerships.

VISION

It is our vision to create experiences that inspire and connect people from all walks of life, by delivering programs of exceptional excellence that are thought-provoking, resonant, authentically inclusive, and grounded in empathy and respect.

A NEW HOME

In 2023, BDM embarked on its first ever capital campaign to support a new downtown campus for its company and programs. Setting out to raise $2.5 million, the campaign eventually received over $4.8 million and an unprecedented vote of confidence from the community.  Integral to this success, in early 2024, Virginia and Nix Lauridsen pledged $3 million to support the new campus, programming, and live music accompaniment. The new Lauridsen Campus for Arts and Education opened in 2024 and now houses not only the professional company and staff, but also a host of community programs, including free ballet lessons for Black and brown youth, movement classes for cancer survivors, and workshops with performers who visit Des Moines on tour.

TODAY

This season, BDM will represent 24 dancers, including three apprentices and ten trainees, as well as ten staff members, with a 2025-26 budget of over $2 million. Each season now includes four evening-length theater productions as well as a state-wide summer STEM tour, and the company is regularly presented across the state. In addition to performances, BDM has won numerous awards for its education and outreach programming, which strives to ensure that people from every corner of the community are encouraged and inspired to participate in creative programming that meets them where they are in relevant, engaging ways.

With over 100 state-wide partners, BDM has been recognized for its authentic approach to collaboration, which focuses not just on opening doors, but establishing trust-based relationships with community leaders, educators, and communities. Through these partnerships, BDM is reaching nearly 15,000 community members a year, with programs that actively improve academic outcomes, spark career connections, drive economic activity, and improve feelings of belonging and regional pride.

“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.”

— SALLY DIX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRAVO GREATER DES MOINES