Luxury Brands Become Dance's Key Patrons Amid Funding Cuts

As government support for the arts diminishes, luxury brands are stepping in to fill the void in dance funding. In 2020, Van Cleef & Arpels initiated Dance Reflections, which backs approximately 30 new performances each year in cities such as London and New York. In 2021, Chanel introduced the Chanel Next Prize, granting €100,000 to artists every two years. President Trump has suggested the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts in 2024, while funding for the arts in the UK and Europe is also facing reductions. Alistair Spalding remarked that VCA's backing allowed for a more ambitious post-pandemic program. Starting in 2027, Chanel will aid renovations at the Paris Opéra. Both Spalding and Bill T. Jones stressed that corporate sponsorship cannot substitute for government funding. Dance Reflections was founded by Nicolas Bos.