BAC Receives $3 Million Gift from Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation

Baryshnikov Arts Center (BAC) announces the award of a $3 million gift from the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation to create the Rudolf Nureyev Endowment and to name the Rudolf Nureyev Studio. This is the first endowment gift to Baryshnikov Arts Center, made as it celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. It is specifically designated to support dance activity at BAC and to name BAC's Studio 4A the Rudolf Nureyev Studio in perpetuity. The gift was announced by Barry L. Weinstein, the Chairman of the Board of the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation at BAC's 10th Anniversary Fall Fête on September 28, held at the Center.

Mr. Weinstein said: "The Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation is proud to award the Baryshnikov Arts Center a significant gift to create a named space for Rudolf Nureyev. Our gift is a fitting tribute to Nureyev's legacy and an important recognition of BAC's role as a home for dance. Nureyev's emergence in the West was pivotal in dance history and paved the way for future dance luminaries. The uniting of the names, Nureyev and Baryshnikov, who shared cultural backgrounds, were both trained in the legendary Vaganova Academy in St. Petersburg, were colleagues and friends, and who were arguably two of the greatest dancers the world has ever seen, will provide stimulus for excellence in dance for many years to come."

Mikhail Baryshnikov, artistic director of BAC said: "I am thrilled and grateful for the generous support from the Rudolf Nureyev Dance Foundation. With this new gift, we will be able to establish the first endowed fund at BAC--an incredible milestone for our organization. BAC's mission is to provide a space and home for artists and dancers to continue to grow and develop their art, with absolute freedom. This embodies what Rudolf Nureyev represented: who he was as a person and an artist. I am so moved to be able to have a space at BAC that will bear Rudolf Nureyev's name and provide inspiration for countless dancers and artists in the years to come. Rudolf loved this City and I know he would be so happy to know that his name will be carried forward here at BAC."

Born in Siberia of Tatar descent, Rudolf Nureyev (1938--1993) was an extraordinary, charismatic dancer and choreographer, renowned for his versatility, exuberant dynamism and energy. He was admired for being able to master different styles with extraordinary ease. Among his many achievements, Nureyev choreographed and restaged many classics, served as the Paris Opera Ballet's artistic director (1983--1989), and worked with most of the notable dancers and choreographers of his time. Nureyev was well known as Dame Margot Fonteyn's favorite partner. Nureyev began his ballet studies at 11. At 17 he entered the Leningrad Ballet School, working with Aleksandr Pushkin. Upon graduating in 1958 he became soloist with the Kirov (now Mariinsky) Ballet. After being granted asylum in France in 1961, he danced with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas. He made his American debut in 1962, appearing on American television and the Chicago Opera Ballet. Later that year he joined theRoyal Ballet (London) as a permanent guest artist and continued to work with companies and choreographers around the world as a guest star throughout his career.