Our Commitment to Accessibility
Everyone Should Be Able To Experience The Joy Of Dance
Pioneer Valley Ballet is dedicated to making dance accessible to everyone, both on and off stage.
UP Designation
We are proud to hold the UP Designation awarded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as part of their Universal Participation (UP) Initiative.
The initiative seeks to break down the barriers that prevent full civic participation in the cultural sector of our Commonwealth, and our UP Designation certifies our commitment to inclusive practices both in the studio and in the performance hall.
Diversity, Representation & Inclusion
We stand in solidarity with the Black community and those engaged in the movement for racial justice. We commit to using our influence as dance educators and art makers to prioritize diversity, representation and inclusion at PVB, and to promote equity within the art form of ballet.
We remain devoted to being here, to listening, to learning and to providing a safe place for our dance community to do the same. We are eager to find new ways to promote inclusivity and accessibility in the historically privileged art of ballet.
We know that we must do more than articulate where we stand in this moment. Our next step is to establish a detailed, actionable plan of how to effect organizational change and become actively anti-racist in the studio, on the stage and out in the community. We, as always, remain open to your feedback and are appreciative of your thoughtful suggestions.
-Pioneer Valley Ballet Board of Directors
Sensory & Family Safe Performances
On December 8, 2017, we debuted our Sensory and Family Safe Presentation of The Nutcracker as part of our winter production at the Academy of Music Theatre. Designed in collaboration with local autism services organizations, this performance featured lighting and sound accommodations for reduced sensory experiences. A narrator assisted the audience at the start of the performance, and a special seating configuration placed all patrons near the aisles, allowing them to come and go from the auditorium as needed.
Students of Many Abilities
PVB embraces diversity amongst our dancers. Our student, Alice Hawley, was recently profiled in a Boston Herald story as she prepared to dance in The Nutcracker. Her father also eloquently shared his experience as Alice’s on-stage dance partner. The Hawleys are just one example of the families we’re proud to support in our training program.
Our staff would be more than happy to talk with you about how your child can get started with ballet at our studio.
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