Ballet British Columbia announces Jay Rankin as new Executive Director
/Vancouver, BC – Ballet British Columbia’s Board of Directors is delighted to announce the appointment of Jay Rankin as the Company’s new, permanent Executive Director, effective November 1, 2009. Rankin, a dedicated and proven leader who has served non-profit arts organizations for more than 30 years joins Ballet British Columbia following the company’s successful financial restructuring, which has enhanced the company’s stability. Rankin will lead the Company to a new era of strength and artistic prominence.
“I am delighted to be joining Ballet British Columbia during this key time in the organization’s development and growth,” Rankin explained. “I look forward to building on the strong foundations of the Company, its vision and reputation for innovative choreography. I am personally inspired to work in partnership with Emily Molnar, Interim Artistic Director, the Ballet BC Board, and the entire Company to ensure the continued growth and momentum of Ballet British Columbia, and its bright and stable future.”
Managing Director of Toronto Dance Theatre (TDT) since 2000, Rankin has a proven record of accomplishments in guiding organizations. His fundraising experience is of the highest pedigree, and includes significantly building Toronto Dance Theatre’s working capital reserve while simultaneously reducing its deficit. With eight seasons at TDT, Rankin instituted a multi-year professional development program, helped to redefine the public image of the organization, and successfully negotiated a variety of complex governance agreements.
Rankin brings with him credibility in fundraising and negotiation, as well as strong roots and key relationships in the arts sector across the country. He has served on a number of funding panels for organizations, including The Canada Council Dance Section, the BC Arts Council, and the Ontario Arts Council. Previous to TDT, Rankin worked in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Montreal as Senior Administrator for companies such as The Karen Jamieson Dance Company and Full Circle: First Nations Performance. His unwavering commitment to management, progress and financial development is bolstered by his dedication to continued education in the arts management sector where he mentors junior arts managers.
“The Board takes great pleasure in announcing Jay Rankin’s appointment,” said Dr. Kevin B. Leslie, Director on the Board of Ballet British Columbia. “This is an extremely important milestone for the Company. We are confident that Mr. Rankin will be an excellent institutional ambassador who will bring clear and forceful leadership to the position with his strong fundraising and financial acumen coupled with his creative, strategic and consistent management style. Rankin has a profound respect for the artform, valuing excellence, artistic expression, and integrity.”
Ballet British Columbia will present their celebratory gala IGNITE on September 30, 2009 at 8pm at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre. The evening will include a new work by Emily Molnar performed by Ballet British Columbia with mixed repertoire performed by artists of The National Ballet of Canada. Tickets are on sale now, and available at www.balletbc.com, or by calling 604-732-5003 x 207.
About Ballet British Columbia (www.balletbc.com)
Founded in 1986, Ballet British Columbia is an internationally acclaimed dance company that is a leader in contemporary ballet within Canada. Bold, innovative, and sophisticated, the Vancouver-based company’s distinctive style and approach to the art form has helped the company make a unique and valuable contribution to the development of dance.
Consisting of a select group of 15 dancers from around the globe, Ballet British Columbia presents a diverse repertoire of Canadian and international contemporary ballet from the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
In addition to a number of international tours, Ballet BC’s notable programs include Artist in Residency, company apprenticeship, outreach initiatives for students, as well as the always-popular Studio Series, Pre-show Chats, and Artist Talks.
Under the new artistic direction of Emily Molnar, former member of The National Ballet of Canada, Ballet British Columbia, and the Frankfurt Ballet, the company looks forward to fostering collaborations that support artists, choreographers, and audiences alike, furthering the boundaries of contemporary ballet.
For more information about Ballet BC’s upcoming season, please visit www.balletbc.com.
