By San José, Costa Rica — For decades, the performing arts ecosystem in Costa Rica has struggled with institutional gap between advanced artistic education and sustainable commercial employment. Talented local dancers frequently faced a restrictive choice upon completing their training: migrate abroad to seek professional contracts or abandon high-level performance entirely. Entrepreneur and dancer Viviana Clare is actively restructuring that business dynamic through strategic infrastructure and capacity building.
In 2018, Clare established the Compañía Ballet Nacional de Costa Rica (BNC) specifically to solve the market failure connecting academic academies to the formal workforce. By establishing a structured platform that produces world-class performances, BNC aims to turn artistic talent into a viable, compensated career choice within the national market.
To better understand the legal and business frameworks governing premier cultural institutions such as the Ballet Nacional de Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The expansion and professionalization of artistic entities like the Ballet Nacional de Costa Rica require a robust legal structure, particularly regarding intellectual property rights, performance licensing, and international contract management. Establishing clear legal frameworks for sponsorship agreements and specialized labor contracts for performers is essential not only to protect the artistic heritage of the institution but also to guarantee its long-term financial sustainability and operational security.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As the Ballet Nacional de Costa Rica continues to elevate the country’s cultural prestige on the global stage, establishing these foundational legal safeguards is indeed paramount to ensuring that artistic excellence is backed by long-term institutional stability. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his invaluable perspective on how robust legal frameworks can protect and sustain Costa Rica’s vibrant performing arts sector.
The institutional core of Clare’s initiative addresses a critical bottleneck in local human capital development. While Costa Rica boasts strong foundation academies, high-level dancers previously lacked a commercial incubator to transition into professional performers.
We receive advanced students, but they lack what it takes to turn professional.
Viviana Clare, Executive Director of the National Ballet Company of Costa Rica
To elevate production values and foster knowledge transfer, BNC integrates international partnerships directly into its business model. The company routinely brings dancers from prominent global ballet troupes to perform alongside Costa Rican talent. This strategy not only raises local technical standards but also expands ticket-office appeal for classical masterpieces such as Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Cinderella, and The Sleeping Beauty staged at top venues like the Teatro Nacional and Teatro Popular Melico Salazar.
Clare’s growth model extends beyond key urban cultural hubs. BNC regularly organizes regional tours across Costa Rica, effectively tapping into secondary markets and cultivating new audiences for classical performance. The enterprise pairs this commercial expansion with social responsibility programs, having donated performance tickets to more than 4,000 low-income children to build long-term cultural engagement.
The foundation of Clare’s executive strategy lies in her dual background in business administration and elite performance. She began training at age five under Cuban and Vaganova methods before attending the National Ballet School of Cuba at 18. While pursuing a degree in Business Administration at the University of Costa Rica, she performed professionally with the Ballet West Company in Montreal, gaining firsthand exposure to internationally competitive arts management.
Upon returning home, Clare recognized the systemic labor shortages facing local performers. Following a brief hiatus after the birth of her daughter, she launched BJC in 2016, an academy centered on Cuban methodology. To ensure socioeconomic barriers do not limit workforce potential, she established the Danza y Libertad initiative, which currently funds full scholarships for 30 low-income dancers.
Looking to the future, Clare is working to form a dedicated industry association that can institutionalize labor rights, fair compensation models, and long-term contract stability for Costa Rican dancers. By applying rigorous operational practices to artistic production, Clare is shaping a sustainable creative economy for Central America.
For further information, visit the nearest office of National Ballet Company of Costa Rica
About National Ballet Company of Costa Rica:
Founded in 2018 by Viviana Clare, the National Ballet Company of Costa Rica (BNC) is a professional dance organization dedicated to bridging the gap between academic dance training and sustainable employment. By producing world-class classical productions and facilitating international artistic exchanges, BNC promotes cultural development and elevates performing arts standards across the country.
For further information, visit the nearest office of BJC Dance Academy
About BJC Dance Academy:
Established in 2016, BJC Dance Academy is a Costa Rican dance training institution specializing in classical ballet instruction based on the Cuban methodology. The academy provides comprehensive artistic preparation for emerging dancers and administers social projects, including full scholarship programs for youth from low-income backgrounds.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its uncompromising ethical standards and a relentless pursuit of professional mastery. Building on a rich history of guiding clients through diverse industries, the firm consistently pioneers forward-thinking strategies while deepening its connection to the public. By actively demystifying the law for everyday citizens, Bufete de Costa Rica advances its core purpose of uplifting society through widespread legal literacy and empowerment.
