Our Story
Over the past 13 years, Collage Dance has been working diligently to grow and diversify the fine arts community in our city. With the fastest growing dance program in the region, the successful completion of an $11M capital campaign and the construction of one of the largest centers for dance of its kind in the nation, Collage has emerged at the forefront of equity and inclusion in the classical arts. As the largest Black ballet company in the South, we are proud of the work and the community we have built thus far, but are even more excited about the future.
To date, the Collage Dance Conservatory has trained more than 5,000 students, has the largest ballet program for boys in the city and trains more dancers of color in a classical art form than any other non-profit in the region.
Collage believes in the power of ballet and its undeniable ability to transform the lives of young people in any community regardless of whether their aspiration is the stage or the board room.
On October 29th, we host our annual jazz gala brunch – our largest fundraiser – to help support the more than 1,000 kids Collage serves each week and ensures no kid is turned away due to financial limitations.
Our organization is on a mission to inspire the growth and diversity of ballet and with your support of the 13th Annual Jazz Gala Fundraiser, we can do just that!
About the Gala
Collage’s Annual Gala is one of the city’s premier annual celebrations. Now in its 13th year, this is an enriching affair with performances by Collage’s world-class professional company and students from the Collage Dance Conservatory. Experience live music with special performances by acclaimed jazz artist Wendy Moten, soul singer Talibah Safiya, Carl Caspersen Jazz Trio and Ensemble X, delicious cuisine by Chef Melissa Swearing, and thirst-quenching cocktails during an elevated afternoon affair in support of the Collage Dance Conservatory.
Host Committee
Mikara Davis – Co-Chair
Dr. Jessica Ruffin – Co-Chair
Michelle and Tony Armstrong
Kelinda and Lawrence Batiste
Melanie and Eddie Cole
Brandon Benson
Kathleen & Kelly Fish
Iyona and Earl Houston
Latarshia and Darin Johnson
Linda and Major McNeill
Dr. Angela and Anthony Nichols
Kimberly and Elliot Perry
Dr. Crystal Pourciau
Suzanne and John Scharff
Lois Stockton
Dr. Michelle Taylor
Dr. Amy Walsh
Sponsorship Opportunities
diamond Sponsor
$35,000
- 10 tickets, valet parking passes, VIP cocktail hour with special performances + more.
- Invitation to Open Rehearsals for the performance season. Opportunity to host clients and special guests at a private rehearsal.
- Scholarship(s) to be awarded to a ballet student in your (company/organization) name
- Opportunity to present award at End of the Year Student Concert on June 2, 2024 at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts
- Prime advertisement space in season program (if desired)
- Verbal acknowledgement at concerts
- Employees of company or family of individual receive opportunity to purchase tickets with 25% discount to all concerts
- Framed poster from performance signed by the full company
- Tickets and priority seating at all 2023-24 concerts
- Listing on website, social channels, marketing assets and e-blasts
- 20% discount on Collage Merchandise
- Invitation to Donor Thank You Reception on Feb. 4, 2024
plATINUM Sponsor
$25,000
- 10 tickets, valet parking passes, VIP cocktail hour with special performances + more.
- Scholarship(s) to be awarded to a ballet student in your (company/organization) name
- Opportunity to present award at End of the Year Student Concert on June 2, 2024 at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts
- Prime advertisement space in season program (if desired)
- Verbal acknowledgement at concerts
- Employees of company or family of individual receive opportunity to purchase tickets with 25% discount to all concerts
- Framed poster from performance signed by the full company
- Tickets and priority seating at all 2023-24 concerts
- Listing on website, social channels, marketing assets and e-blasts
- Invitation to Donor Thank You Reception on Feb. 4, 2024
- 20% discount on Collage Merchandise
GOLD Sponsor
$5,000
- 6 tickets, valet parking passes, VIP cocktail hour with special performances + more.
- Verbal acknowledgement at concerts
- Employees of company or family of individual receive opportunity to purchase tickets with 25% discount to all concerts
- Framed poster from performance signed by the full company
- Tickets and priority seating at all 2023-24 concerts
- Listing on website, social channels, marketing assets and e-blasts
- 20% discount on Collage Merchandise
- Invitation to Donor Thank You Reception on Feb. 4, 2024
Silver Sponsor
$5,000
- 6 tickets, valet parking passes, VIP cocktail hour with special performances + more.
- Tickets and priority seating at all 2023-24 concerts
- Listing on website, social channels, marketing assets and e-blasts
- 20% discount on Collage Merchandise
- Invitation to Donor Thank You Reception on Feb. 4, 2024
Bronze Sponsor
$3,500
- 4 tickets, valet parking passes, VIP cocktail hour with special performances + more.
- Listing on website, social channels, marketing assets and e-blasts
- 20% discount on Collage Merchandise
- Invitation to Donor Thank You Reception on Feb. 4, 2024
To discuss sponsorship opportunities further, please call Marcellus Harper at (901) 800-1873 or email [email protected].
Please note, in order to receive all of the benefits of the desired sponsorship level, purchases need to be made no later than Monday, October 1, 2023.
For details on event ticket opportunities click HERE.
