Balanchine & women in modern ballet

The Fonds Darstellende Künste (Performing Arts Fund) awarded Mirjam a research grant to investigate the representation of women in neoclassical ballet choreography.

Based on the widely acknowledged impact of Balanchine’s choreographic innovation on modern ballet, the research explores whether Balanchine’s view of women and their role in society and on stage equally continued to influence modern choreographic practices today. It seeks to explain what Balanchine’s views are and how he expressed them in his works, creative process and wider hierarchies within the work environment; which parts of those ideologies and patterns are still present today and how we might free ourself from them to create a less normative and more inclusive and empowering ballet industry today.

The research findings will be available in autumn 2023 via the button below.

Supported by Fonds Darstellende Künste with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and Media within the program NEUSTART KULTUR

FINNISH NATIONAL BALLET

Cross-cultural exchange is a fundamental cornerstone of a vibrant, inclusive and collaborative global arts landscape. Against the background of this shared understanding, Mirjam has been awarded a mobility grant from the Creative Europe — Culture Moves Europe programme financed by the European Union; as well as the NRW Ministry of Culture and Science Travelling Scholarship to join The Finnish National Ballet as a guest for the company’s 2023 production of Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda. The experience confirms and enriches Mirjam’s artistic journey as well as her continued interest in innovation in the classical ballet industry as a form of heritage conservation.

Mirjam thanks the company for the warm welcome in Helsinki and is proud to contribute to a connected and open ballet industry together.

This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

UNESCO International Dance Council

Mirjam is delighted to be a member of the International Dance Council CID of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

‘CID is the official umbrella organization for all forms of dance in all countries of the world. It is a non-governmental organization founded in 1973 within the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, where it is based. Its members are the most prominent federations, associations, schools, companies and individuals in over 170 countries. They cooperates with national and local governments, international organizations and institutions. It is a non-discriminatory structure open to all approaches to dance without prejudice for race, gender, religion, political affiliation or social status, and governed democratically by member-elected leadership.’ — CID Website

CID plays an important role in international dance infrastructure, solidarity and governance, and Mirjam is proud to be part of this vital step towards global democracy and connection in dance.

KEEPING CLASSICAL BALLET RELEVANT

During her NRWKS Dance Research ‘Classical Tradition / Modern Society’, Mirjam held a range of interviews with leading industry professionals to investigate how classical ballet and tradition can be reconciled with modern audiences. The final report ‘Classical Tradition / Modern Society’, provides practical ideas, inspiration and food for thought for directors, producers, creators and artists in the classical performance industry. Anyone who aims to magnify the relevance of their work and this form of art is encouraged to use the report as a resource for their own practice.

Explore the research findings and read the final report by clicking the button below.

The Hard corps podcast

It has been a great pleasure for Mirjam to be a guest on The Hard Coprs Podcast: Season 3, Episode 24. In the episode, she discusses her career journey, freelancing, favourite pastries and dance research with host Romy Adair.

The Hard Corps Podcast creates an important space for open, honest and critical conversation about the ballet industry valued by dancers in training and professionals alike.

act’ble test athlete

Mirjam has been selected to be one of 50 Test Athletes in act’ble’s Beta Phase Research.

Act’ble is an innovative venture revolutionising the way pointe shoes are conceptualised and created. Using modern technologies and materials, they have designed a pointe shoe that outlasts traditional shoes up to 5 times. This is an unprecedented advancement in sustainability and brings the ballet industry one step further into the future. Mirjam is excited to see and be a part of this kind of innovation and new thought in the industry.

Learn more about act’ble and their shoes by visiting their website!

1 Minute

Produced for the NRW KULTURsekretariat format ‘1 Minute for…’ in collaboration with Newark Studio, an East London arts collective redeeming culture for Jesus.

A grant from NRW KULTURsekretariat — funded by the Ministry of Culture and Sciences of the Federal State North Rhine-Westphalia.