The San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) has announced a $60 million gift that will support the creation and acquisition of new works.

The largest gift in the ballet’s history was donated anonymously, and the organization will allocate $50 million to its endowment to support the creation and acquisition of new works on an annual basis and in perpetuity, and $10 million will help secure the financial underpinning of the initial seasons of artistic director Tamara Rojo, who is in her inaugural season. Rojo already has pursued a program with world premiere commissions of Mere Mortals and Carmen—company firsts and works rarely seen in the United States.

The gift follows the recent launch of Creation House, a multifaceted initiative offering SF Ballet company members, SF Ballet School students, and guest artists an expansive portfolio of creative opportunities with a focus on choreography and new work development.

“We are thrilled by this exceptional generosity and such a tremendous commitment to our company, our artists, and our vision to take artistic risks,” said Rojo. “I came to San Francisco with the goal of introducing new audiences to the ballet, expanding the repertoire, and helping move forward our collective vision of what ballet can be. This gift allows us to invest in innovative works like Mere Mortals, to work with a wide range of talented collaborators, and to change the way ballet is made. I am excited for the company to reach new heights in the coming seasons.”

(Photo credit: SF Ballet/Chris Hardy)