The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced a $1.1 million grant to the North Carolina Dance Theatre in Charlotte to expand its repertoire, provide innovative programming, and develop new audiences.

The grant will help the company acquire new and older pieces and includes $100,000 in support of its Sustaining Star fund, enabling the company to increase the number of weeks that dancers are employed and ensure that it remains competitive in attracting and retaining top dancers. The latest grant boosts Knight’s contributions to the organization to nearly $3.1 million.

"This grant helps generate new initiatives to grow audiences while remaining relevant and competitive with other companies throughout the United States," said North Carolina Dance Theatre executive director Douglas Singleton. "The additional support for the Sustaining Star fund invests in our greatest assets, our artists."