Two iconic Bay Area organizations come together to expand access to the arts in their shared hometown
Athleta, a Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP) brand and leader in women’s performance and lifestyle apparel, today announced its partnership with San Francisco Ballet, fostering confidence and connection through movement for women and girls.
As San Francisco Ballet’s Official Athletic Apparel Partner, Athleta will bring its performance heritage to life through authentic storytelling that captures the craft, strength, and artistry of company dancers outfitted in Athleta product. The first expression of the partnership will be a social content series that launches across Athleta’s channels, featuring San Francisco Ballet principal dancers Madeline Woo and Nikisha Fogo.
The partnership between the Bay Area-born brands will put community at center stage, with programming designed to connect through dance, advance equity through access, and engage the next generation. Rooted in Athleta's belief that every woman deserves the opportunity to define strength on her own terms, the partnership will create more opportunities for women and girls to experience the transformative power of movement through community programming and expanded access to dance.
Athleta will support SF Ballet's Swanson Community Scholarship Fund, an initiative that provides approximately 100 local elementary students with free, year-round access to world-class ballet training at San Francisco Ballet School. Scholarship recipients are identified through the Dance in Schools and Communities (DISC) program, which reaches roughly 2,500 San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) students annually. Additionally, Athleta and SF Ballet will offer quarterly dance workshops that will be made available at no cost to Bay Area women and girls, providing an entry point to this important art form; the first community workshop will be hosted this September.
The partnership reflects both Athleta’s commitment to empowering women and girls, and Gap Inc.'s commitment to supporting and uplifting the San Francisco arts community.
"We know that movement is more than physical; it has the power to shape lives and move communities forward," said Maggie Gauger, CEO, Athleta. "We're proud to partner with San Francisco Ballet to create more opportunities for women and girls to discover the confidence, connection, and sense of possibility that movement can unlock."
"The performing arts bring people together, spark imagination, and enrich communities. SF Ballet's exciting partnership with Athleta reflects that same spirit—bringing the art of dance into the heart of our local community and creating new spaces for connection, creativity, and shared experience," said Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director.
For more information about the brand visit www.athleta.com and follow Athleta on social media via Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
For more information about San Francisco Ballet visit https://www.sfballet.org/ and follow San Francisco Ballet on social via Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
About Athleta
Athleta is a premium performance lifestyle brand with a mission to fuel women's confidence, connection, and evolution through movement. Inspired by the many ways women move through life, Athleta designs performance apparel that seamlessly blends technical innovation, elevated style, and a deep understanding of women's unique needs. A Certified B Corp, Athleta is committed to advancing women and girls while creating positive impact for people and the planet. Based in San Francisco, CA and a Gap Inc. brand (NYSE: GAP), Athleta apparel is available at more than 250 retail stores across the United States and Canada and at Athleta.com.
About San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Ballet, led by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, is a world-leading ballet company and a trailblazing commissioner, collaborator, and presenter in dance. With a deep commitment to new and contemporary works and the classical repertoire, SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet, investing in commissions and acquisitions; presenting established and emerging choreographers with a breadth of viewpoints; uplifting dancers, artists, and creatives across disciplines; and cultivating the next generation of the world’s top dancers in its School.
Contact
press@gap.com
athleta@devriesglobal.com
press@sfballet.org