Today, 60 years after its inaugural performance, Les Grands Ballets’ Nutcracker lives on as a well-established Holiday tradition in Montreal. Wishing to give all children a chance to experience the magic of this iconic production, the company launched the Nutcracker Fund for Children in 1997.
Every year, the funds we raise enable thousands of children to learn about the arts and, often for the first time, to attend a free performance of The Nutcracker. In addition, it enables us to restore sets and costumes, allowing the show to continue to thrive.
For nearly 30 years, the Fund has enabled thousands of children every year to attend a full performance of The Nutcracker with orchestra, free of charge. Every year, they include:
• Batshaw Youth and Family Centres
• Montreal Oral School for the Deaf
• Bancroft Elementary School - EMSB
• Cardinal Léger Elementary School - CSSPI
• Christ-Roi Elementary School - CSSDM
• De la Petite-Bourgogne Elementary School - CSSDM
• Des Nations Elementary School - CSSDM
• Des Roseraies Elementary School - CSSPI
• Dollard-des-Ormeaux Elementary School - CSSDM
• Édouard-Laurin Elementary School - CSSMB
• Katimavik Elementary School - CSSMB
• Laurentide Elementary School - CSSMB
• Marie-de-l’Incarnation Elementary School - CSSDM
• Marie-Victorin de Longueuil Elementary School - CSSMV
• Notre-Dame Elementary School - CSSPI
• Notre-Dame-du-Foyer Elementary School - CSSDM
• Philippe-Labarre Elementary School - CSSDM
• Pierre-de-Coubertin Elementary School - CSSPI
• Sainte-Catherine-de-Sienne Elementary School - CSSDM
• Sainte-Colette Annexe Elementary School - CSSPI
• Sainte-Gertrude Elementary School - CSSPI
• Saint-François-d’Assise Elementary School - CSSDM
• Saint-Grégoire-le-Grand Elementary School - CSSDM
• Saint-Léon-de-Westmount Elementary School - CSSDM
• Saint-Simon-Apôtre Elementary School - CSSDM
• Simonne Monet Elementary School - CSSDM
• Saint-Edmond Secondary School - CSSMV
• Saint-Laurent Secondary School (classes d'accueil) - CSSMB
• Charles Bruneau Foundation
• Fondation des Gouverneurs de l'espoir
• Fondation des jeunes de la DPJ
• Fondation du Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie
• Marie-Vincent Foundation
• En Cœur Foundation
• Jeunes musiciens du monde
• La Dauphinelle
• La Maison des Petits Tournesols
• Elizabeth House
• L'Arche Lanaudière
• L'Arche Montérégie
• L'Arche Montréal
• The Lighthouse Children and Families
• Les Petits Rois
• LOVE Québec
• Opération Père Noël
• Prolongement à la Famille de Montréal
Because we firmly believe that preparation enriches one’s experience and receptivity to performance art, Les Grands Ballets has developed Nutcracker-themed introductory art and dance workshops. These are opportunities for children to peer into the production and dance world in a playful, participatory and creative way.
In collaboration with Une école montréalaise pour tous, and thanks to the support of major donors, approximately 250 workshops are offered by cultural mediation specialists and dancers from Les Grands Ballets from September through February. These workshops engage around 1,500 children!
The Nutcracker holds the national record for the longest-running show performed on a single stage. Every year, Les Grands Ballets production teams and costume workshop are busy restoring or replacing production components that have worn out over time, which allows us to continue enchanting spectators of all ages, from generation to generation.
Your contribution to the Nutcracker Fund is crucial to carrying on this beloved production for many years to come.
Together, we can share the magic of The Nutcracker and of dance with all children, excluding none!
Our 2024-2025 Donors and Partners
For further information, contact us:
514 849-8681, ext. 232
philanthropie@grandsballets.com
