Scapino Ballet Rotterdam may be one of the largest dance companies in Holland, with some of the world’s best dancers and choreographers. Our productions are made for everyone. Even people who’ve never seen a dance performance in their lives. But when the company began, it didn’t set out with the aim of creating and performing dance. Scapino was founded in 1945 by miss Hans Snoek. She dreamt of ‘bringing colour back to the cheeks of children after the war.’ And it’s because of her belief in the power of dance to make that happen, that Scapino came to be. The drive to bring change through dance – to bring joy, life, colour – still moves us today. We created Scapino Academy to develop the talent of young dancers and choreographers, and show people how to learn with and from dance. We offer a wide variety of workshops and activities for schools, clubs, companies, community centres and art centres. Our goal: to inspire children, young people and adults, fuel their creativity and develop their talents, and encourage them to think and communicate through movement. Scapino is in a process of constant self-renewal. Change is our way of life. That’s why we feel so at home in Rotterdam, a city in perpetual change, and why we are proud to be the city dance company of this metropolis.