Established in 2017, The SFTA Coalition Aims to Raise Awareness, Protect Access, and Encourage Action on Behalf of the Arts
Ovation TV, America’s premier arts network, is pleased to announce that the Redondo Ballet Company has joined the network’s Stand For The Arts coalition, becoming its 150th member. Stand For The Arts is Ovation TV’s national advocacy platform to raise awareness, protect access and encourage action on behalf of the arts. Its mission is to ensure the arts remain a vital part of our society and to reinforce the inherent value that the arts, and the creative economy, provide on a national level. Each coalition member supports these efforts and plays an important role in their own community’s art scene. Today’s announcement was made by Liz Janneman, EVP of Network Strategy, Ovation TV.
SFTA originally formed in 2017 in response to reports regarding the possible defunding of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Since then, goals have included shedding light on the positive socio-economic impact of the arts on individuals, communities, and our country; recognizing the contributions of local arts organizations and cultural institutions that do not often benefit from exposure on a national platform; bringing attention to the arts industry’s current financial crisis due to the coronavirus pandemic; and raising awareness for struggling arts organizations and helping bring arts workers back to work.
“The arts are essential to mental well-being, community building, and economic growth. For years now, the creative economy has been under attack. Our goal at Stand For The Arts is to highlight the importance of the artistic community at every level and to demand support and respect for these artists and organizations,” stated Janneman. “We are so pleased to welcome the Redondo Ballet Company as our 150th coalition member. We recognize their commitment to accessibility and equity in arts and cultural opportunities for all, and welcome RBC in joining our campaign calling for increased arts funding at a federal level.”
The Redondo Ballet Company 501(c)(3) was formed in 2014 with a vision to create a home for the art of dance in the South Bay. This was a long-held dream of Founder, Francesca Stern. The RBC’s debut performance of The Snow Queen represented the realization of Francesca’s and Co-Director Donna Perkins’ dream, and the dawning of ballet in the South Bay. Redondo Ballet is a passionate advocate for dancers in the training and pursuit of a classical dance education whereby empowerment exudes from every dancer as they delve into the philosophies of a classical education that are imparted upon them on a daily basis, giving the dancers the ability and power to craft a narrative that creates a connection with an audience that ranges from the earnest realities of life to the heights of frivolity.
“Redondo Ballet is delighted to be a coalition member of Stand For The Arts as its amazing advocacy platform aligns beautifully with Redondo Ballet’s Outreach and Philanthropic programs,” stated Donna Perkins and Francesca Stern, Co-Artistic Directors of Redondo Ballet. “Since over 80% of schools fall short of the California state mandate that requires schools to provide music, art, theater, and dance programs, it is now more important than ever for us to engage in meaningful discussions and act on how we can facilitate arts programs in our schools and communities.”
The arts network also presents the Redondo Ballet Company’s original dance film Through the Pages in Art House, its free streaming destination available on the Ovation NOW app, streaming now. The film was produced during the pandemic, adhering to all safety protocols, as part of a goal to keep dancers artistically engaged, dancing, and emotionally balanced, helping to aid in the well-being of dancers during challenging times. The Ovation NOW app is free to download and is available on Roku, Android, Apple TV, and iOS devices.
“We are thrilled to be presenting the Art House premiere of the RBC’s Through the Pages on Ovation NOW,” added Scott Woodward, EVP of Programming and Production, Ovation TV. “We are happy to provide our consumers with such innovative programming and applaud the RBC’s efforts to keep its dancers active in such a creative and engaging way.”
The Redondo Ballet Company joins Positively Arts, KID smART, and Ballet Hispánico as the coalition’s latest members. For the full list of coalition members, please visit www.standforthearts.com.
About OVATION TV America’s Premier Arts Network
As an independent television, production, and digital media company, OVATION TV has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture, and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically acclaimed premium dramas, specials, documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION TV salutes innovative storytelling with popular programming that includes Inside the Actors Studio, Murdoch Mysteries, Riviera, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Arts Engines, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, The Fall, Midsomer Murders, The Art Of, Celebrity Conversations, and The Sound of New York. Ovation also powers JOURNY, the dedicated streaming service where art, culture, and travel intersect. The company has provided more than $15M in contributions and in-kind support to arts institutions and arts education. Its signature advocacy platform, STAND FOR THE ARTS, includes a coalition of over 150 arts organizations, cultural institutions, and arts leaders throughout the country raising awareness about art’s positive impact, protecting access for everyone, and encouraging action on behalf of the arts. OVATION TV is available on major providers via cable, satellite, and telco systems including Comcast Cable/Xfinity, DIRECTV/AT&T U-verse, SPECTRUM, Verizon FiOS, as well as on-demand. You can follow OVATION TV on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, OvationTV.com, and through our App, OVATION NOW.