By Cliff Bellamy

cbellamy@heraldsun.com; 419-6744

DURHAM -- Officials at the American Dance Festival are breathing easier after ending the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30 with a balanced budget at a time when many nonprofit arts groups are struggling from the fallout of the recession.

In August, the festival was facing a season deficit of as much as $275,000. The festival closed that gap through a combination of budget reductions, increased ticket sales and an end-of-season public appeal to dance patrons.

"Ticket sales were more than we anticipated," said Jodee Nimerichter, ADF co-director. On a per-performance basis, the festival sold more tickets, in both Reynolds Theater at Duke University and at the new Durham Performing Arts Center, where the ADF this year had its debut season. The festival this year presented fewer companies than in past seasons.

Closing the budget gap took work from the staff and contributors, Nimerichter said. With the team effort, "we made this year look good with a balanced budget, and that's a huge sigh of relief.

"We are just so grateful to everyone for their support. ..." she said.

At the end of the season, ADF sent an e-mail message requesting donations of $20 or more. After each performance, audiences were asked to make donations to the festival's scholarship fund for student dancers to help ensure future productions.

Other local and state nonprofit arts organizations have coped with the fallout from the recession. Donors who in the past had made large contributions cut them in half or eliminated them entirely, the North Carolina Arts Council reported. For the current fiscal year, some groups are still expecting reductions.

The ADF's experience is a good example of how arts groups across the state are dealing with the continued economic uncertainty, said Nancy Trovillian, deputy director of the North Carolina Arts Council. Many groups are using a combination of strategies -- including cutting budgets and making public appeals. Other organizations also are reporting better than expected ticket sales or attendance.

"If you come out breaking even, that's a positive thing," Trovillian said. She called ADF's success in the new performing arts center a testament to Durham and the hard work in the community. "I'm really thrilled that ADF had such a good season."

The 76th season was based on the theme "Where Ballet and Modern Meet." The festival presented a site-specific work, which was performed in lobby and areas outside of DPAC, to commemorate the inaugural night in the theater. This year the ADF split its performances between DPAC and Reynolds Theater.

The festival will continue to use both venues in 2010, Nimerichter said. She said the festival expects to present more companies in 2010, but the exact number has not yet been determined.