Big news for The Portland Ballet: TPB just received a $100,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to expand one of its studios by a whopping 400 feet. But the best news of all? This expansion is a direct result of increased enrollment! Since TPB’s last expansion in 2014—which doubled its square footage—enrollment has increased by 37 percent. Construction will happen this summer.
TPB studio class with Patricia Brewer-Jones. Photo by Blaine Truitt Covert.
TPB’s much-needed second expansion is proof positive that equipping your space well can have a tangible effect on the size and success of your studio. In our June issue, we consulted studio owners, manufacturers and suppliers for our “Your Studio Space” special section. If you’re considering an expansion—or if you’re outfitting your very first space—we have the lowdown on floors (semi-permanent, permanent, portable), barres (aluminum or wood?), mirrors (and observation windows), buying versus DIY-ing and purchasing versus leasing.