The Miami Hispanic Ballet Company was established in 1993 as a non for profit dance organization dedicated to identifying and promoting professional dance artists of Hispanic descent in Miami-Dade County. Since its inception, Miami Hispanic Ballet has also taken the role of producer and presenter bringing major gala performances of proven artistic excellence leading to the creation of the Annual International Ballet Festival of Miami, recognized as the most successful in the US and is the only one of its kind in the State of Florida, giving our residents and visitors the unique opportunity to view a wide range of local, national and international artists of exceptional merit.
This Festival represents the most ambitious ballet project ever conceived in South Florida, the magnitude of its program, along with the prestige of the participating companies and the renowned principal ballet stars, have captured the attention of the most demanding audiences. The festival has accomplished the task of introducing the audiences of Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach Counties, and Miami Beach, as well as tourists, to a stunning array of national and international ballet companies encompassing Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the USA, many making their USA debut. Furthermore, it has provided the opportunity for local dance and ballet companies to demonstrate their talent alongside the world’s most renowned dancers. The festival has received rave reviews and earned the utmost respect of the local and international media significantly raising Miami's profile among international ballet companies as a destination for talented artists to be appreciated.
About the Festival
The International Ballet Festival is held every year in Miami from the last week of July through mid-August, bringing to Miami-Dade County spectacular performances by over 100 Principal Dancers representing more than 20 ballet companies, a dance film series, art exhibits inspired by the dance, book presentations, workshops and masterclasses. Each year the IBFM presents two important awards. "A Life for Dance" Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the three most prestigious honors for the dance worldwide, is presented each year to the greatest luminaries of the international dance world, and the "Criticism and Culture of Ballet" to the most prominent and respected International dance critics.
In 2011 the MHB received a grant of one million dollars from Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs Council for the purchase of the property that houses the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center (MHCAC) since 2012, and was also the proud recipient of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge Grant Award 2011 of one hundred thousand in support of the restoration of the original building. This exciting new Cultural Arts Center resides in the magnificent 1911 fully restored Miami Landmark building, The J.W. Warner Place, House and Garden, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the only one from Miami featured in Remaking America, the definitive book of historic houses. The property is centrally located between the Miami River, Downtown and Brickell, easily accessible to the Miami community and our visitors. The future plan is for the original colonial style building to be complemented by contemporary architecture housing brand new state of the art ballet studios and black box theater, designed by architect Omar A. Morales. The planned activities at the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center will enrich the arts in Miami and preserve our Hispanic cultural legacy.
Mission Statement
The Miami Hispanic Ballet’s mission is to encourage excellence in dance, support artistic and cultural diversity and increase opportunities for the public to experience the best in classical and contemporary dance forms. The organization is committed to developing and educating audiences in the appreciation of dance through the production and presentation of high quality events and educational programs, as well as to identify and promote professional dance artists in Miami-Dade County.