Houston Ballet Foundation
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
A world-class ballet company with a diverse repertory of classics and contemporary works.
Houston Ballet has always maintained the highest standards. We train and attract global talent- dancers with classical training that allows them to move seamlessly across all genres. These dancers inspire choreographers to do their very best work.
Houston Ballet’s programs and services aim to expose and offer opportunities for all members of the community to participate in the art form of dance. Through our Wortham Theatre Center six-production subscription series, Nutcracker season, free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre, and our Education and Community Engagement initiatives, we endeavor to expand our reach and access to encompass all diverse populations.
Houston Ballet's Education and Community Engagement Programs
Education and Community Engagement programs consist of: Adapted Dance, Autism-Friendly Performances, My First Ballet, Ballet Talks, Behind the Scenes Tour, Chance to Dance, Graceful Givings, Guest Speaking, Dance to Learn, Dance Talks, Learning from the Masters, Studio Series, Student Matinees, Teacher Workshops, and X3: Explore, Extend, Excel.
We strive to provide accessible, high-quality dance education that engages a diversified youth audience, and inspires creativity, critical thinking, communication, and physical fitness. Furthermore, our focus is serving children who are deemed economically disadvantaged, by targeting schools with 75 percent or more children who receive reduced/free lunch. In the past 2020-2021 season, Houston Ballet’s Education and Community Engagement programming reached 231,254 students throughout Houston and surrounding areas.
National and International Touring
The company has toured extensively across the United States and abroad. National cities toured include: Chicago, New Orleans, New York, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Detroit, Los Angeles, and at the world-renowned Jacob's Pillow Festival, among many others.
Houston Ballet has toured to international destinations including but not limited to: Canada, Europe, Russia, Asia, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Dance for Parkinson's
Dance for Parkinson's is an innovative and collaborative dance program for people with Parkinson's in the Houston community. The program is brought to Houstonians by Houston Ballet Foundation and Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS).
A pianist accompanies the class and incorporates various types of music, encouraging participants to dance independently and find their own beat.
Houston Ballet Academy
Since its founding in 1955, Houston Ballet Academy has provided the highest quality ballet training for those enrolled. Through various programs, the Academy trains over 1,000 students a year. It offers training designed to take students from their first introduction to movement through a full course of ballet study. The Academy’s outstanding faculty includes teachers who have performed with prestigious companies throughout the world.
Houston Ballet Academy is comprised of four programs: the Preschool Program, Adult Program and the Pre-Professional and Professional Programs. All programs are designed to train students in various forms of dance and movement. The Preschool Program and Adult Program do not require an audition and are open to the general public for registration.
Where we work
External reviews

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Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of paid seats filled for performances
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
These number represents the tickets sold for the performances at our home theater. Does not include any touring/off site performances.
Total number of performances
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This number includes the performances of our Company at our home theater as well as touring/off site performances.
Number of participants engaged in programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of overall donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Donors who have contributed to the annual fund.
Number of students enrolled
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of unique website visitors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Houston Ballet's mission is to inspire a lasting love and appreciation for dance through artistic excellence, exhilarating performances, innovative choreography and superb educational programs.
In furtherance of our mission, we are committed to maintaining and enhancing our status as:
• A classically trained company with a diverse repertory whose range includes the classics as well as contemporary works.
• A company that attracts the world's best dancers and choreographers and provides them with an environment where they can thrive and further develop the art form.
• An international company that is accessible to broad and growing local, national, and international audiences.
• A company with a world-class Academy that provides first rate instruction for professional dancers and meaningful programs for non-professional dancers.
• A company with state-of-the-art facilities for performances, rehearsals and ongoing operations.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Embodied in the organization's current long range plan, our strategies are as follows:
1) Contribute to the dance repertoire and nurture Houston Ballet's reputation as a leading center of new choreography through increased creation, "updating," and production of new choreographies
2) Increase the size of the dance Company to allow a broader range of productions and a greater depth of talent within the Company
3) Increase prominence and recognition of the artistic achievement and quality of Houston Ballet through more performances, as well as regular, national, and international touring to select dance capitals in the U.S. and abroad.
4) To continue to nurture the Houston Ballet Academy as a nationally recognized top training facility to establish the Academy as the "school of choice" among aspiring dancers
5) Increase public awareness of Houston Ballet's diverse repertoire by defining and promoting a consistent Houston Ballet brand, and successfully selling mixed programs
6) Build a stronger and deeper, loyal support of Trustees, donors, audiences, and alumni.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Houston Ballet has committed significant resources to its investment in fundraising staff, marketing and advertising. This commitment has directly impacted and increased earned and contributed revenue which has and will continue to support strategic program goals.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
At the conclusion of fiscal year 2021, Houston Ballet:
Impacted over 280,000 individuals through performances, community engagement efforts and special events.
Showcased 17 virtual season performances
Held 128 in-person performances
Debuted 13 world premiers and 63 Houston premiers
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Houston Ballet Foundation
Board of directorsas of 10/25/2021
Ms. S. Shawn Stephens
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data