Nashville Ballet

What it reported doing in 2024

Community engagement: community engagement programming has been a core piece of nb's work for over 20 years. Partnerships with schools and community-based organizations help nb reach 16,000+ people annually, making the program a long-standing success. From curriculum-specific programs to broad-based performances, community engagement programs engage diverse populations by focusing on deepening creative engagement in underinvested communities. Nb's strategic plan outlines methods to achieve this by 1) identifying candidates for scholarship study at snb, 2) highlighting dance/dance education as a desirable part of lifelong learning for adults and seniors, 3) furthering inclusivity across performances/programs for individuals regardless of disability status, and 4) expanding arts literacy in the community with a focus on diverse/underinvested areas. This year, nb's community engagement programming continues working closely with community partners to make arts education accessible to all. The following programs are available:- story time events (early readers): teaching artists read stories and guide children through an interactive movement lesson to encourage plot, comprehension and literacy skills. -nb partners with the metro action commission in middle Tennessee to expose all headstart center children to a live ballet experience annually. Headstart students who are 3 years old are able to experience a storytime event at their center location; 4-year-old headstart students take a field trip to nb studios to experience the exciting children's ballet "night at the ballet." modeled after the night at the museum movies, this humorous ballet brings literature and history to life. We also offer a sensory-friendly version of this program.- mini ballets: this past season nb2, nashville ballet's official 2nd company, toured for a week presenting night at the ballet to various schools and community groups. This world premiere by second company director maria konrad featured excerpts from don quixote, swan lake, and the contemporary piece mechanics. - in-house dress rehearsal viewings: as a field trip, middle and high school students were able to attend dress rehearsals of nashville's nutcracker and other pieces on the season-homeschool days are now offered quarterly throughout the performance season. Guided by a teaching artist, students (k -12th) discuss and dance through the artistic concepts and inspiration behind nashville ballet's upcoming performance. Students and families watch the company artists rehearse for the upcoming performance. This program helps homeschool families meet the arts standards necessary for their curriculum.- residency school partnerships (k-5th grade, title i students): nb partners with 5 local title 1 metro nashville public schools elementary schools to provide live dance and performance experiences at no cost. Each year, nb teaching artists, faculty, and dancers make four to seven visits to each school in order to follow students through their education to promote arts literacy. These schools also attend a special education-focused matinee performance of nashville's nutcracker. At the end of the academic year, students have the opportunity to audition for a full scholarship to train at the school of nashville ballet.- inside the ballet lecture series (senior citizens, adults, life-long learners): this adult education program offers participants new perspectives through the lens of dance. Inside the ballet events provide opportunities for individuals and groups to learn more about the art form of ballet, gain understanding of the social and cultural themes surrounding a work. This season's erase the night, a story of addiction and recovery, provided multiple opportunties for community conversations. The program is offered two ways: in podcast form and in-person salon style conversations in various places in the community from panels of artists and subject matter experts. This hybrid model makes inside the bal

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 98.6%; rating input score 99
• Program expense ratio: 85.7%; rating input score 86
• Fundraising efficiency: $4.98 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 9 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 100
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -14.4%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.83; rating input score 31; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.51; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 4.1%; rating input score 60; 60th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 5% per year; rating input score 100; 39th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.5% per year; rating input score 100; 31st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 2.6% per year; rating input score 100; 22nd percentile among comparable filings