Founded in 1960 by Iris Hensley, Georgia Ballet began as a community-driven initiative.
Mrs. Iris Hensley founded The Georgia Ballet in 1960 and served as Artistic Director until 2003. With training in Atlanta, New York, Washington, D.C., and with the National Ballet of Canada, she built a distinguished career as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She created numerous works for regional companies and established the Cobb/Marietta Ballet, now known as The Georgia Ballet. In recognition of her impact on arts education, she received the Lillian Bennet Sullivan Award, Cobb County’s highest honor in the arts, and held leadership roles with the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association and the Georgia Council for the Arts.
ARTS IN EDUCATION
Our Arts in Education community outreach programs inspire school children by introducing them to the artistry and athleticism of dance. The initiative focuses on three key areas while fostering creativity, inclusivity, and a love for the arts in students across our community.
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Subsidized Field Trips – giving students the opportunity to attend professional performances by The Georgia Ballet at reduced or no cost.
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Momentum – a publicly-funded program offering free dance instruction in Title 1 schools, making the arts accessible to underserved communities.
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DanceAbility – an award-winning program providing free dance instruction tailored to children with special needs.