Since 1977, the AVAZ International Dance Theatre has occupied a unique niche in the multi-cultural art world of Los Angeles: It is the only professional arts organization representing the more than one million Southern Californian immigrants of Middle Eastern Heritage. These individuals are often new citizens who are eager to contribute to the cultural life of the people of Southern California.  

Grants from foundations like the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, the Weingart Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, California Arts Council, the Los Angeles City Cultural Department and many generous individuals have greatly contributed to the development and growth of the AVAZ International Dance Theatre and its educational and cultural programs. In addition, the support and recognition of the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, with which we hold a shared goal of enriching the cultural life of the citizens of Los Angeles, is a tremendous source of pride and validation of our part in this project. That support gives us the courage to continue in our creative efforts and to look with enthusiasm and energy to the future, creating new and innovative ways of providing education and art to the people of Los Angeles. Companies like AVAZ cannot thrive and grow without the support of foundations like the Ralph M. Parsons, which understand the value of arts and education to the community.  

Funding also allows us to support our artists, who represent multicultural Los Angeles, many of whom are enrolled in dance programs in local colleges and universities. AVAZ is proud to create an art form that has universal appeal and attracts artists of a wide variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. They will be the source of leadership in the arts in the future.  

As we approach the new millennium, in a world of increasing technological complexity, the arts will be an even more important source of spiritual nourishment for the community. AVAZ wants to continue its pioneer role and be in the vanguard as a source of cultural pride and contribute to the understanding of cultural diversity through our art.