Capital Region Cares Capital Region Cares 2018-2019 | Page 27

CDP has a close relationship with the Sacramento
Ballet and credits the ballet as being one of its strongest
supporters. The ballet, for example, donated the CLARA
rehearsal space, which Calka says is instrumental to
CDP’s success.
The synergy between the CDP and the Sacramento
Ballet also extends to dancers. Calka says the culture of
dancers in Sacramento is supportive and collaborative,
which isn’t always the case in larger cities.
Calka believes that synergy and continued growth
can help both organizations reach more people. “We still
want to do more as we grow. We need to reach more peo-
ple in the community, and we continue to improve and
refine with each season.”
All of this comes at a time when Sacramento is work-
ing to strengthen its creative sectors. Sacramento Coun-
ty’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generated $166.7
million in total economic activity for the 2015 fiscal year,
supporting 6,000 full-time jobs, according to a report
from Americans for the Arts. And there have been vari-
ous artistic initiatives in the last few years, including the
Wide Open Walls mural project and the Creative Econo-
my Pilot Project.
Calka has watched the organization grow and change
alongside the city of Sacramento.
“Sacramento is its own unique place, one I’ve watched
grow, develop and come into its own,” says Calka. “The
ballet has done a similar thing over the years. Our f lavor,
what we are, is based on being present and observant of
what’s happening around us.”
Seiwert says the ballet will continue to make an effort
to find new patrons and foster community in the region.
The organization is looking into starting a LGBT night,
a 30-under-30 event and will grow outreach efforts to
youth.
“I’m spending time considering how we utilize our
performances to create community in the region,” says
Seiwert. “There are different access points before, during
and after someone watches ballet. People want to partic-
ipate, they want more than to consume art. We are work-
ing on finding those engagement opportunities.” n
Trish Moratto Litke is a communications consultant who
specializes in public relations, social media strategy, copy-
writing and journalism. She is an outdoor enthusiast and
avid traveler, which has taken her to more than 40 coun-
tries. She is based among the pine trees in Grass Valley.
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