Our history
Local dance enthusiasts founded Richmond Ballet in 1957 as a performance outlet for students in local dance programs. It existed for almost 20 years as a small, civic company until 1975, when the School of Richmond Ballet was founded. The School sparked the evolution from a student company to the professional company of today.
Since its early days as a civic company in the 1950s through its emergence as a professional company in 1984 to today, Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia, has flourished as a home for the past, present, and future of dance. Richmond Ballet boasts an expansive repertory that includes 19th- and 20th-century masterpieces as well as more than 90 new ballets by contemporary choreographers from around the world. The Company made its international debut in London in 2012, followed by a tour to China in 2015, and has performed at The Joyce Theater in New York City in 2005, 2008, 2010, and, most recently, May of 2017.
In addition to the professional company, the Ballet is proud to celebrate the strength of its School of Richmond Ballet, which educates over 800 students annually, as well as its community engagement programs, including the acclaimed Minds In Motion which reaches more than 2,000 students each year in both the Commonwealth of Virginia and Israel.
Our Mission
Richmond Ballet awakens, uplifts, and unites human spirits through the power of dance. Dedicated to the evolution of ballet as a versatile language of movement that crosses national and cultural boundaries, we seek to draw an ever broader range of artists, students, and audiences to experience the magic of dance through inspiring performances, outstanding training, and meaningful community engagement.
Our Vision
Richmond Ballet aspires to help transform our world through the unique and special power of dance by training and presenting dancers of all ages as ultimate artist/athletes who inspire us by showing unlimited human potential. We will demonstrate the value of human life, the power of cooperation and mutual respect, the work ethic and discipline required to achieve anything truly meaningful, and the joy of an inclusive, compassionate community in everything we do.
Our Values
Excellence—the standard of everything we do
Passion—the depth of commitment of everyone involved
Respect—the relationship between and within past, current, and future generations
Inspiration—the uplifting magic of dance
Compassion—seeing and feeling through the eyes and hearts of others
Community—created through shared visions and experiences
Inclusivity—seeking out and cultivating diversity and access
Integrity—adherence to a code of both ethical and artistic values
SEASON SPONSORS
Special thanks to the generosity of our 2026-2027 season sponsors.
