In tribute to the Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater’s 40th anniversary season, the company has announced a yearlong fundraising campaign titled 40 for 40.
The campaign is intended to build necessary financial support for the company’s current and future programs, including its annual American Spanish Dance and Music Festival and a special trip to Spain in the summer of 2016.
The 40 for 40 campaign asks for a $40 dollar donation from the company’s alumni, as well as its current and new stakeholders. It launches in October 2015, and has set a fundraising goal of $40,000 over the next year.
“The Ensemble is so fortunate to have a generous base of supporters, particularly through the Northeastern Illinois University alumni community,” Ensemble Español Development Director Carolyn S. Aguila said. “This particular group of people understands the significance of having a professional arts company located on a university campus, and are deeply connected to our dancers—many of whom are also Northeastern alumni.”
About 69 percent of the Ensemble’s dancers and staff are either alumni or students at Northeastern, where the company has been in residence since its creation.
“The bond between Northeastern and the Ensemble allows the company to draw young dancers to its studios, and has been especially attractive to parents who are looking for ways to help their children attend a four-year university,” Ensemble Español Director Jorge Perez said. “We have designated scholarship endowments for dancers to pursue college degrees, and this has been central to our mission, and vision.”
In its 40-year history, Ensemble Español has been fortunate to have stakeholders from Chicago’s arts community, the city’s dance community, neighborhoods, schools, Midwest and national audiences, and a dedicated group of international artists who support the company’s projects and programs. With this in mind, the Ensemble Español asks all of its supporters to consider a modest donation in honor of this special season.
