Governor Proclaims 25th Anniversary of the Carolina Ballet

WHEREAS, in 1998, the Carolina Ballet was founded as a professional ballet company by Robert Weiss and is now one of North Carolina’s most established arts organizations; and

WHEREAS, since 2018, the Carolina Ballet has been under the direction of Artistic Director and CEO, Zalman Raffael; and

WHEREAS, the company has grown from 16 dancers and an annual budget of $1.2 million to more than 45 dancers and an annual budget of $8 million; and

WHEREAS, the stable growth of Raleigh and the surrounding communities is due in part to a thriving performing arts environment that further enhances the quality of life in the Triangle; and

WHEREAS, the Carolina Ballet has staged more than 100 world premiere ballets and provides employment to more than 50 accomplished dancers and ballet basters who participate in more than 100 performances of world-class ballet each year; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina recognizes the Carolina Ballet for the many cultural contributions it has made and continues to make to our great state;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May 12, 2023, as the “25^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAROLINA BALLET” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.