ABOUT US
A LEGACY OF FIRSTS. A FUTURE IN MOTION.
Throughout its history, San Francisco Ballet has embodied the spirit of the city: innovative, forward-thinking, and unafraid to challenge conventions. From presenting America’s first full-length Nutcracker to consistently pushing the boundaries of contemporary choreography, the company has understood that ballet’s power lies in its ability to blend timeless traditions with contemporary relevance.
San Francisco Ballet stands at an extraordinary inflection point where artistic vision, organizational transition, cultural evolution, and civic renewal converge to create a unique window of opportunity. Since 1933, SF Ballet has been both a founding voice in American ballet and a creative engine for the art form globally. From programs that captivate to training that transforms, San Francisco Ballet fuels a living art form, elevating professional artists, cultivating the next generation, and welcoming more people into the power and possibility of what dance can become in the 21st century.
VISION
To forge ballet’s future from San Francisco to the world: where artistic innovation and excellence transform lives and inspire communities.
MISSION
To shape ballet’s future by creating works of uncompromising excellence, identifying and developing extraordinary talent, and serving as a catalyst for cultural transformation. We blend innovation with accountability, local roots with global resonance, creating experiences that shift perspectives and inspire bold creativity across generations.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
San Francisco Ballet is woven into the rhythm of the city itself, an expression of its innovation and drive to create. We mirror the Bay Area’s energy on stage while carrying its imagination into classrooms, community centers, and public spaces across the region. San Francisco Ballet’s community engagement programs provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to experience the joy, creativity, and connection of the performing arts. By turning movement into education and performance into connection, San Francisco Ballet doesn’t just reflect the city, it amplifies it, shaping a shared cultural identity.
SAN FRANCISCO BALLET SCHOOL
San Francisco Ballet School offers world-class instruction to train future professionals and help dancers of all ages discover the joy of movement. Founded in 1933, it remains the oldest professional ballet school in the country and one of the most respected worldwide.
As the training ground for the next generation of artists and leaders in dance, the School offers a path from foundational training to pre-professional programs, guided by faculty who have danced with the world’s foremost companies. With scholarships, community access, and a commitment to excellence, the School prepares dancers for professional careers and also cultivates creativity and discipline.
Led by School Director Grace Holmes and Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, the School has a dual mission: to train classical ballet dancers capable of joining a professional company and to offer all ages and levels the love of dance.