The Toledo Ballet has been a leader in the Toledo performing arts community for over 60 years. Marie Bollinger Vogt, Artistic Director Emerita and Founder of the Company, developed the Toledo Ballet Association in 1958 to support the many activities of the Toledo Ballet Company. Mrs. Vogt retired as Artistic Director of the Toledo Ballet Association in 1996. At that time, the Toledo Ballet Association purchased the ballet school from Mrs. Vogt and the school is now part of the non-profit Toledo Ballet Association. The Toledo Ballet produces two full-scale productions annually - including the longest-running performance of The Nutcracker in the nation – operates the not-for-profit Toledo Ballet School, organizes and presents the pre-professional Toledo Ballet Company and implements an arts in education program in Northwest Ohio schools as well as through other outreach activities. The mission of the Toledo Ballet is to increase interest and support of the arts through dance. This mission is accomplished through community education, studio instruction and major performances and the following initiatives: *Establish and promote interest in dance as a fine art *Present dance programs of the highest quality *Organize, maintain and present the Toledo Ballet augmented by guest artists *Maintain an active scholarship program for promising dancers *Encourage audience development and appreciation for ballet with young people by maintaining visibility in educational settings in cooperation with the area school systems *Introduce the art of dance to new audiences of all ages and backgrounds *Solicit, collect, and raise funds to further the efforts of the Toledo Ballet