Capturing the Ballet Des Moines Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony: A Milestone in Des Moines' Arts Scene

On September 12, 2024, Ballet Des Moines celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of the Lauridsen Campus for Arts and Education at 655 Walnut St. The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a historic $3 million donation from Nix and Virginia Lauridsen, the largest single gift they’ve made to a performing arts organization in Greater Des Moines.

A New Era for Ballet Des Moines

The successful capital campaign, led by Connie Wimer and Kirk Besh, exceeded its original $2.5 million goal, raising over $4.8 million. This funding supports the new downtown campus and establishes an endowment for future programming, ensuring that Ballet Des Moines continues to grow and thrive in the community.

Photographing a Historic Event

Being there to photograph this event was an absolute honor. The energy in the room—from the excitement of the ribbon-cutting to the heartfelt speeches—made for incredible moments to capture. It was inspiring to see so many people come together in support of the arts, and documenting that feeling through photography felt truly special.

Ballet Des Moines is stepping into an exciting new chapter, and this event was just the beginning. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them!

Here are some of my favorite images from the event—each one capturing a piece of the magic from this unforgettable day.