When the District eliminated earmarks for arts and social service organizations in July to close a $666 million budget shortfall, many organizations had to scale back immediately, reported Timothy Wilson in today’s Washington Post. In fact, noted, Wilson, the Washington Ballet lost $1 million from its $8.5 million budget.
“A yearlong volunteer project developed by Design Army might offset that loss,” wrote Wilson.
More of Wilson’s story, which appeared in the DC edition of “Local Living” follows:
The graphic design firm and photographer Cade Martin collaborated with the Washington Ballet to create "Wonderland," an 86-page commemorative book featuring productions by the dance company shot at various locations in the District.
"It's just an incredible, incredible tool for us," Hill said.
The project has a twofold benefit for the dance company: providing an alternative source of revenue and showcasing the dancers outside the theater.
About $1.4 million of the company's budget is allocated to community programs. They include the Washington Ballet at THEARC in Southeast Washington, in which more than 250 children and 40 adults study ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern and African dance.
Hill said revenue from the book, which sells for $55, will help provide tuition relief for students. Gross sales from the book could total more than $100,000 for the dance company.
"It's an alternative source of revenue. That's certainly been a blessing for us," Hill said.
The book features company dancers depicted in scenes from productions such as "Peter Pan," "Romeo and Juliet," "The Nutcracker," "Carmina Burana" and "Cinderella."
The photographs were taken at places such as the U.S. National Arboretum in Northeast Washington and the Meridian International Center and McMillan Reservoir in Northwest Washington.
Pum and Jake Lefebure, co-founders of Design Army, said they wanted to do a small pro bono project to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of the company's artistic director, Septime Webre. What started as a calendar eventually morphed into a larger production.
"It was definitely a learning experience," Jake Lefebure said. "There were just a ton of people involved."
The company relied on a cadre of volunteers, including special effects supervisors, makeup artists and service crew members, to complete the tightly scheduled four-day shoot in September 2008.
Neenah Paper donated the paper for the project, and Worth Higgins & Associates of Virginia printed about 2,000 books free.
The Lefebures said the book could attract more donations for the dance company even if copies are no longer printed.
"It's not just a book of pictures. It was about trying to create a different perception of Washington," Lefebure said. "I think it's going to be really hard for somebody to say no when it comes down to writing that check for them."