Sommers, Ben, 1906-1985 (1906-1985)
Dates
- Existence: 1906-1985
Biography
Ben Sommers was the former head of dance and theatrical shoe company Capezio Ballet Makers. He started working at Capezio at age 14 as a stock boy, later working up to being a salesman, and eventually became the president of the company in 1940, were he headed the company for 36 years. He established the Capezio Foundation in 1951, which became a leading philanthropic organization dedicated to dance, giving special assistance to the emerging New York regional ballet movement. In 1957, Sommers created the Capezio Award, which was given for lifetime achievement in dance. He also founded the Association of American Dance Companies and established National Dance Week in 1978, as well as International Dance Week in 1985, to honor dance throughout the world.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
Ben Sommers interview, 1982 November 4, 1982 November 04
The Oral History Project of the Fashion Industries began informally in the late 1970s, and was officially funded by a grant from the Educational Foundation for the Fashion Industries beginning in 1981. The project was guided by an industry advisory committee chaired by Mrs. William Randolph Hearst, Jr., and was largely guided by then director of the Gladys Marcus Library at FIT, John Touhey.