Since 1972, Ballets Jazz Montréal has presented thought-provoking and dynamic dance performances, embodying freedom, creativity, and originality. The company has been under the leadership of Artistic Director Alexandra Damiani since 2021. She actively preserves the company’s traditions while facilitating its evolution. In its 50 year history, Ballets Jazz Montréal has touched more than 3 million audience members with performances in sixty countries around the world. We spoke with Catherine Cardinal, Deputy Executive Director – Development and Partnerships, to learn more.
Describe your charity/non-profit in a few sentences.
Ballets Jazz Montréal is a contemporary dance company that creates, produces and presents original works from Québec on stages around the world. For more than 50 years, the company has supported artists and sustained the creative process while working to make contemporary dance accessible to broad and diverse audiences, both in Montréal and internationally.
What problem is it trying to solve?
We work to make live art accessible to as many people as possible. In an era defined by speed and fragmentation, we believe contemporary creation has the power to bring people together, move them, and create space for collective reflection, provided it can be adequately funded, presented, understood and shared with wider audiences.
When did you start/join?
I joined Ballets Jazz Montréal’s Board of Directors over a year ago, before becoming more closely involved with the executive team in a development and partnerships role, particularly as the organization expands its philanthropic outreach ahead of initiatives like Bulles Jazz Montréal.
What inspired you to get involved?
A deep love of the arts and of the creators who bring them to life, but above all, a desire to help amplify the extraordinary talent within the company here in Montréal and abroad, and to connect that work with broader audiences, from business leaders to decision-makers to the general public.
What was the situation like when you started?
While Ballets Jazz Montréal enjoys strong international visibility, it operates in an environment where public funding has plateaued even as the costs associated with international touring continue to rise.
How has that changed since?
We’ve begun mobilizing Montréal’s business community to reach new audiences and partners, inviting them to act as ambassadors to support our artistic mission and promote BJM within their respective networks.
What more needs to be done?
Stronger bridges must be built between the cultural sector, the business community and public institutions to ensure sustainable conditions for creation. This includes funding models better aligned with today’s realities, as well as broader dissemination of artistic works.
How can our readers help?
By attending our performances, sharing our work within their networks, or supporting our philanthropic initiatives.
Where can we follow you?
On our website, as well as through our newsletters and social media channels.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We have deep admiration for organizations working to make the arts accessible to audiences of all ages and backgrounds across Montréal.
