AAADT Selected for Members Project

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is proud to announce its selection as a charity candidate in Members Project, a partnership between American Express and TakePart.  Starting today, supporters and fans of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can go online and vote once a week through February 20th to help the organization become one of five charities to share a total of $1,000,000 in funding from American Express.  If selected as a winner, funding will assist the Ailey organization in extending its ability to reach a wider global audience, expanding education programs for underserved youth, and providing scholarships for talented young dancers.
 
"We are very excited about this unique opportunity to have the votes of Ailey enthusiasts directly assist us in furthering Alvin's mission of delivering dance back to the people," said Judith Jamison, artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.  "As we celebrate 50 years of Revelations this season, I hope that everyone who has ever been moved by the Company will vote for us weekly.  Winning funding from Members Project would truly be the best birthday present for Revelations' 50th anniversary, and would help us educate and entertain for 50 years to come!"
 
Since 1958, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has traveled the world, inspiring and uniting people of all backgrounds in a universal celebration of the human spirit.  Recognized by U. S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," the Company has remained committed to founder Alvin Ailey's mission of delivering dance back to the people through exciting performances, training education and community programs.  Revelations, Alvin Ailey's 1960 masterwork called a must-see for all people, has been performed for over 23 million people in 71 countries on six continents over the past 50 years, becoming the most performed and loved modern dance ever!  Hailed by The New York Times as "modern dance's unquestionable greatest hit," Revelations has brought audiences around the globe to their feet year after year as they rejoice in the work's exploration of places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

If chosen as one of the five winners by, Ailey has committed to use the funds provided by Members Project to expand invaluable education programs and world class training for young dancers.  Currently, The Ailey School offers one of the most extensive dance education programs in the world, training approximately 3,500 students and offering over 300 scholarships annually, as well as a pioneering Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program with Fordham University.  Each year, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs around the country help over 100,000 young people reach their full potential through innovative programs like AileyCamp, a unique summer day camp in 10 cities for at -risk youth.  Also, in-school and after- school residencies use dance and Alvin Ailey's signature masterpiece, Revelations, to teach language arts, history and the joy of movement.