Carina Ari often said that the most important event in her artistic career was when she received a scholarship for further studies under the ingenious Michel Fokine. In those days, a scholarship such as this was unusual – it may even have been the first time a Swedish dancer received a scholarship of this kind. “The scholarship was my capital for life,” she said. It laid the foundation for her subsequent triumphs as a dancer and choreographer..

Carina Ari’s teacher, the ingenious Michel Fokine

Carina Ari never forgot the blessing that the scholarship entailed. Later in life, when she had grown wealthy, she wished to make a substantial contribution to the art of dancing in Sweden. With this intention, Carina decided to give future dancers the same advantage that she had enjoyed. What started as one scholarship 80 years ago, has now grown to more than 50 scholarships annually.

© 2001 The Carina Ari Foundations