Anka Palitz: Fifty Years of Grace, Grit, and Giving

On January 28, 2026, Ballet Palm Beach will raise the curtain on an evening that celebrates not just dance—but devotion. The annual Gala, Gala-By-The-Sea honors Anka Palitz, a philanthropist whose half-century of commitment has quietly shaped careers, sustained institutions, and elevated the cultural life of Palm Beach and far beyond.

Anka Palitz’s influence is felt wherever dancers dare to dream. Long before philanthropy became a headline, she was doing the work—standing beside artists through auditions, injuries, transitions, and triumphs. Her support spans a dancer’s entire arc: from early career development to lifelong cultural enrichment. The result is a legacy measured not in applause, but in opportunity.

From Fashion to the Footlights

After a successful executive career in fashion and cosmetics—holding leadership roles at Revlon and later serving as CEO and owner of Decart Designs—Mrs. Palitz redirected her formidable business acumen toward the arts. She became a catalyst for institutions and individuals alike, applying strategy, empathy, and resources with equal precision.

A Builder of Institutions—and Futures

Her board leadership reads like a who’s who of American arts philanthropy. She is a longstanding board member of American Ballet Theatre, helped develop ABT’s Healthy Dancer Curriculum, and was instrumental in forming Career Transitions for Dancers—where she became the first to chair fundraising, raising several million dollars to expand educational and entrepreneurial scholarships for dancers navigating life after the stage.

At home in Palm Beach, her imprint is equally profound. She founded The Anka Fund for Dancers, directly benefiting the artists of Ballet Palm Beach, and leads as Founder and Chair of the beloved “Heart and Soul Gala.” She serves on the Board of Directors at 184 Bradley Place and has been appointed to the Ballet Palm Beach Board of Directors—an appointment that formalized what dancers already knew: Anka is family.

A Patron with Purpose

As public arts financing dwindled, Mrs. Palitz took action. In honor of her late husband, Clarence Y. Palitz, she began sponsoring individual dancers—an intimate, powerful model of patronage. Her first named dancer, Ethan Stiefel, went on to become Dean of the School of Dance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Throughout her philanthropic career, Anka Palitz has demonstrated a consistent and measurable impact: when she invests her time, resources, and leadership, the individuals and institutions she supports thrive. Her involvement is purposeful and sustained, extending well beyond ceremonial giving to include mentorship, strategic guidance, and long-term commitment. As a result, her support has repeatedly translated into enduring success for dancers and arts organizations, shaping careers and strengthening the cultural landscape for generations to come.

A National Reach, a Local Heart

Her generosity uplifts organizations locally and nationally, including the Kravis Center of the Performing Arts, Palm Beach Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Ballet Palm Beach, The Society of the Four Arts, The Norton Museum, The Metropolitan Opera, The Frick Collection, and The Whitney Museum of American Art. She is also a supporter of the Flagler Museum, a National Ambassador and Vice-Chair of The Actors Fund, and a proud member of the Kravis Founders Society, and is supporting the latest Arts entry into Palm Beach, the new Glaser Hall.

The Standing Ovation

Ballet Palm Beach applauds Anka Palitz not only for her generosity, but for her vision: a belief that dancers deserve dignity, education, health, and a future—onstage and off. Fifty years on, her impact is woven into the fabric of American dance. For 2026, as the lights dim and the music swells on each Ballet Palm Beach performance, the applause will be for more than a gala honoree. It will be for a woman who understood that the greatest art is not only performed—it is sustained, Anka Palitz.