PROVIDENCE – Festival Ballet Providence today announced that its artistic director, Mihailo Djuric, has been named the 2007 Encore Arts & Business Awards winner for Individual Achievement in Performance Arts.
The award, presented annually by the Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island, recognizes individuals who demonstrate both outstanding achievement in the arts and a dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Rhode Islanders by furthering the arts.
A native of the former Yugoslavia, Djuric had a successful career in Europe as both a performer and choreographer before immigrating to the United States. He joined Festival Ballet in 1998, as its artistic director and resident choreographer; later that year, he founded the Festival Ballet Center for Dance Education, where he served as faculty chair through 2005.
“I look forward to continuing my mission of furthering the arts in Rhode Island by bringing new levels of passion for dance to audiences, dancers, choreographers and students,” said Djuric, who is celebrating his 10th season with Festival Ballet Providence and the company’s 30th season.
He was selected for the Encore award both for his accomplishments as a choreographer and for his dedication to the ballet company. The company itself previously has been honored by the council with its Jabez Gorham Award.
Last year, Festival Ballet Providence dancers performed “Tender Delusions” – an original work by Djuric – for the 2006 Encore Awards audience of 800 at the R.I. Convention Center. This year, they are to perform an excerpt from the company’s current repertoire.
For more information or for tickets to this year’s awards event – slated for March 1, at The Plant in Providence, and themed “Evolving the Creative Connection” – call the Arts & Business Council of Rhode Island at 621-6127 or visit www.artsandbusinessri.org.
