'A Letter From the Editor: The Future of the Sun'

I was saddened by the news of The New York Sun's pending closure [New York, "A Letter From the Editor: The Future of the Sun," September 4, 2008].

While I certainly understand the difficulties in keeping such an enterprise afloat, I think it's important for board members and owners of the Sun to know how vital your publication is to the arts community and in particular, the dance world in New York City. By way of voicing my support, I wanted to share my thoughts about the Sun's arts coverage.

The continued and repeated support shown by The New York Sun to coverage of ballet and the art of dance is crucial to many of us in the dance community. With dwindling coverage of dance in daily publications, the reviews by Joel Lobenthal and the work of editors Pia Catton and Erica Orden in covering American Ballet Theatre and other dance companies is always a welcome sight.

Their knowledge and background of the art form are essential to good arts coverage. The Sun's coverage truly provides an essential link between dance companies, the dance audience, and potential audience.

In 2006, American Ballet Theatre was recognized by an act of Congress as America's National Ballet Company, but it is New York City that we call home.

Each year, ABT performs for an estimated 250,000 people in New York alone. For many loyal ballet-goers, our annual eight-week season at the Metropolitan Opera House and two-week fall season at New York City Center is an essential part of their lives. ABT and dance companies around the city truly make New York unique.

The New York Sun's sustained coverage of dance is vital to the financial health of companies like ABT and to the city's cultural life. The number of artists in the dance community who continue to make New York City their home base proves that New York is indeed the dance capital of the world.

We are especially grateful to The New York Sun for its ongoing coverage and support of this great art form.

RACHEL MOORE

Executive Director

American Ballet Theatre

New York, N.Y.