FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2012
CONTACT: Laura Henning
PHONE: 202.833.1717 x107
Washington, DC – Dance/USA, the national service organization for professional dance, will honor Chris & Warren Hellman and Kary Schulman with its Champion Award for their dedication and support of the San Francisco dance community. The awards will be presented on Thurs., June 28, 2012 during the Dance/USA Honors Celebration, which is part of the Dance/USA Annual Conference being held June 27–30 in San Francisco, CA.
Presented annually by the dance community in the Annual Conference host city, the Dance/USA Champion Award is given to an organization, business, foundation, or individual whose achievements, leadership, and support have sustained and/or significantly advanced dance in their home community.
“In the history of our dance community there have been many proud moments, few more special than paying tribute to the tremendous contributions of both the Hellmans and Kary Schulman,” said Wayne Hazzard, Executive Director of Dancers’ Group and co-chair of the 2012 Annual Conference Host Committee.
Chris and Warren Hellman have shaped San Francisco’s artistic and cultural life for over four decades. Chris Hellman, a former soloist with London Festival Ballet, has served on the Board of Trustees for the San Francisco Ballet for almost 30 years during which time the company prospered artistically and financially. Warren Hellman (1934-2011) was a devoted advocate of the arts. His civic and philanthropic activities included service to several Bay area dance organizations, including the San Francisco Ballet and the ODC Dance Company. Mr. and Mrs. Hellman, in defense of the incredible athleticism of dancers against Division I athletes, started “Toe to Toe, a unique local fundraiser in which ODC dancers and UC Berkley student athletes compete by demonstrating their agility, strength and endurance. The event is now in its fifth year.
For the past 30 years, Kary Schulman has been the Director of the Grants for the Arts program of the San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, the municipal funding agency for San Francisco’s arts community. Under her leadership, funding for the agency has grown over six fold, now granting almost $9 million dollars to 220 arts organizations and cultural projects. Grants for the Arts is widely regarded as one of the most generous and progressive city arts funders in the United States. In addition, Ms. Schulman has served on numerous panels and advisory committees for arts and nonprofit organizations.
“In a community filled with generous supporters of the arts, these visionary leaders have had an enormous positive and lasting impact on our local dance scene. We are delighted that Dance/USA is honoring Chris and Warren Hellman and Kary Schulman with the Champion Award,” said Glen McCoy, Executive Director of the San Francisco Ballet and co-chair of the 2012 Annual Conference Host Committee.
Dance/USA is deeply grateful to DeWitt Stern Group for their support of our 30th Anniversary year and their generous sponsorship of the 2012 Honors Celebration
About the Dance/USA 2012 Annual Conference
Dance/USA’s 2012 Annual Conference will take place in San Francisco, CA from Wed., June 27–Sat., June 30, 2012. The conference is the country’s broadest gathering of dance professionals, including executive directors, artistic directors, company managers, choreographers, artists, presenters, agents, and others. This year’s conference includes more than 50 speakers who will conduct more than 20 educational sessions on a variety of highly relevant topics. Sessions be held in multiple venues, including host partners, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and ODC Dance Campus.
About Dance/USA
Celebrating 30 years of dance – Established in 1982, Dance/USA is the national service organization for the professional dance field, serving over 460 ballet, modern, ethnic, jazz and tap companies, dance service and presenting organizations, individuals and related organizations. Dance/USA sustains and advances professional dance by addressing the needs, concerns, and interests of artists, administrators and organizations. By providing services and national leadership, Dance/USA enhances the infrastructure for dance creation, education and dissemination. Learn more about Dance/USA and our branch offices by visiting: www.danceusa.org.
