AILEY: Legacy in Motion—The Enduring Vision of Alvin Ailey
AILEY is more than a performing arts organization; it is a movement—a vibrant, living legacy built on the profound belief that dance is for everyone.
From its founding performance in 1958, AILEY has become a cultural touchstone, enriching the field of dance and sharing the depth of the African American cultural experience with the world. Through exhilarating performances, world-class training, accessible classes, and robust community programs, AILEY embodies its founder’s core philosophy every single day.
The Founder: Alvin Ailey, A Visionary for the Ages
Alvin Ailey was an incomparable dancer, a forward-facing visionary, and one of the most significant choreographers of the 20th century. His groundbreaking work irrevocably changed the course of modern dance, establishing a powerful new form that spoke to the human condition with unmatched honesty and passion.
He laid the foundation for an institution rooted in radical inclusivity, a commitment best summed up in his timeless conviction:
“Dance is for everybody. I believe that dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people.”
— Alvin Ailey, Our Founder
His vision endures, and his legacy lives on not just in his choreography, but in the millions of lives touched by the organization he created.
Seminal Works: A Living Museum of Dance
Alvin Ailey’s choreographic genius is preserved and continually reinvented on stages across the globe. These works form a living history that connects audiences to the soul and spirit of the African American narrative:
- 1958: Blues Suite – The debut performance of the Company, setting the tone for the blues, the spirituals, and the cultural narrative to come.
- 1960: Revelations – A global phenomenon and the most widely seen modern dance work in the world, this piece is an ecstatic, uplifting journey through the religious fervor of the African American South.
- 1972: The Lark Ascending – A lyrical, flowing masterpiece often noted for its transcendent beauty and lightness.
- 1974: Night Creature – A vibrant, jazzy work that captures the essence of late-night energy and sophisticated movement.
- 1979: Memoria – A deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to his friend and mentor, dancer Joyce Trisler.
AILEY Today: A Global Cultural Community
Alvin Ailey’s vision extended far beyond a single dance company. Today, the AILEY organization is a vast, interconnected cultural community that shares the power of dance in theaters, classrooms, and communities across the world.
The Pillars of AILEY
| Organization Pillar | What They Do |
| Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater | Performances: The world-renowned founding company and an unrivaled force that shares Ailey’s legacy globally. |
| Ailey II | Performances: The next generation of dance, performing works by emerging and established choreographers. |
| The Ailey School | Training: Where stars are born and storied careers begin, offering professional training across all genres. |
| Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs | Community: Alvin Ailey’s enduring mission lives on through outreach programs that bring dance to the people. |
| Ailey Extension | Classes: Open classes where all are welcome to learn and embrace the power of movement. |
Our Mission and Guiding Principles
AILEY strives to further the pioneering vision of Alvin Ailey by building an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all.
This performing arts community plays an essential social role, sharing the art of dance with people of all races, ages, and backgrounds, guided by our core tenets:
- Reaching Excellence and Innovation with Passion
- Move to Inspire and Inspired to Move
- Build Community and Celebrate Diversity
- Progress with Purpose and Perform with Respect
The Home of AILEY
The Joan Weill Center for Dance is the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City—the dance capital of the world. This state-of-the-art facility is the creative heartbeat for our dancers, students, and community participants.
Radical Accounting: Charting a Legacy
The legacy of AILEY is not just artistic; it is measurable. Projects like Radical Accounting, recently on view at the Whitney’s Edges of Ailey exhibition, use data-driven visualizations to explore the profound evolution and global reach of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
These dynamic projects showcase:
- AILEY’s Dance Artists, 1958–2023: Illustrating the growth of the company from a small touring ensemble to an internationally acclaimed institution, highlighting the transmission of dance knowledge across generations.
- AILEY, City by City and Year by Year: Mapping the company’s expansive touring history, showcasing how AILEY built a global presence and fulfilled its commitment to bringing dance to diverse audiences.
- AILEY’s Performance History, 1958–89: Delving into the company’s formative repertoire, portraying its range and evolution as a dynamic, living museum of dance.
Ready to connect with the legacy? Explore our Performances, join a class at Ailey Extension, or read more about our History on
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