Academia Acosta Danza - Cuba

Founded in September 2017 by world-renowned former Royal Ballet principal dancer Carlos Acosta, Academia Acosta Danza was born from one man's desire to give back to the country that shaped him. Having risen from a socially disadvantaged neighbourhood of Havana to become one of the greatest dancers of his generation, Acosta established the academy as a gift to Cuba — a place where talented young people, regardless of family income, could transform their lives through dance.

Located in La Habana, the academy serves 45 students aged 15–18 with a staff of 26, offering a fully-funded three-year professional programme followed by six months of pre-professional practice. Every cost — transport, meals, leotards, shoes, notebooks — is covered by the academy, and students from across Cuba receive free accommodation in the State Arts Students' Residence. Auditions are held nationwide, entirely free, with national media promotion ensuring access for all.

What makes the academy truly distinctive is its integrative curriculum. While most Cuban dance schools privilege one tradition, Acosta Danza gives equal weight to classical ballet (in the celebrated Cuban school tradition), Cuban modern dance technique, and Afro-Cuban folkloric dance — complemented by contemporary dance, choreographic composition, classical pas de deux, dance history, Cuban culture, English, and a unique "Sensoperceptiva" workshop that helps students channel their inner emotional worlds into artistic creation.

The results speak powerfully. In 2020, student Leandro Fernández reached the finals of the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in Switzerland. In February 2024, second-year student Alejandro Figueredo became one of just five finalists in the Young Creation Award with his choreography "Somnium," performing at the Théâtre de Beaulieu before thousands. In March 2024, at the 5th Choreography Competition of the National Ballet School's Academies Meeting, the academy presented 14 student choreographies and won four top prizes, including first place in both duo and collective categories.

The academy's community reach extends from collaborations with Belgian artist Isabella Soupart at the Havana Biennial inside the National Museum of Fine Arts, to the inauguration of Havana's Cultural Corridor in 2019, to partnerships with local secondary schools exploring the mathematics of dance. Internationally, two students were selected in 2024 for the Advanced Training Hub at London's Acosta Dance Centre, creating a living bridge between Cuba and the United Kingdom.

The impact is measurable: 100% of current Acosta Danza company dancers are academy graduates. A Junior Company launched in 2023 provides a direct pathway from the classroom to the international stage.

Amidst Cuba's deep economic crisis, rising inflation, and the exodus of talent, the academy stands as a beacon of resilience — preserving Cuban dance as intangible cultural heritage. Should it win, prize funds would restore Havana's beloved Art Deco Teatro Fausto, creating a new home for the academy and reviving cultural life for an entire city district. One boy's gift to Cuba is becoming a gift to the world.