Reframing the Narrative: Using Ballet, Archives, and Cultural Memory to Draft Transferable Blueprints for Systemic Transformation

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Archives do more than preserve history—they shape whose stories are remembered and whose contributions remain invisible. MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet) began as a digital archive documenting the experiences of Black ballet artists and has evolved into a broader effort to challenge historical omissions and expand understanding of the cultural history of ballet.

Using ballet as a case study, this webinar explores how archives and cultural memory can reshape historical narratives and influence educational and institutional practice. Participants will examine how documenting overlooked histories contributes to a fuller understanding of artistic and cultural traditions while considering how archival work can inform teaching across disciplines. Educators will gain approaches for using archives, cultural memory, and historical inquiry to help students investigate representation, institutional change, and the construction of historical narratives.

Instructor: Theresa Ruth Howard, Founder and Curator of MoBBallet (Memoirs of Blacks in Ballet)