AileyCamp

Founded by Alvin Ailey and the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey in 1989, AileyCamp targets students with academic, social and domestic challenges—criteria that often determine a child's risk of dropping out of school—but also welcomes students who have little opportunity to develop their artistic interests. An important aspect of the program's success is in providing positive adult and peer role models, and giving campers an invaluable opportunity to explore their creativity, learn to master their bodies, and strengthen their respect for themselves and others within a supportive framework that gives them an important foundation for the future.

AileyCamp Daily Affirmations

Featured Images

AileyCamp NY 2018 Final ... (Read More) AileyCamp NY 2018 Final Performance (Hide)

New York AileyCampers and Nasha ... (Read More) New York AileyCampers and Nasha Thomas (Hide)

New York AileyCampers in ... (Read More) New York AileyCampers in Percussion (Hide)

New York AileyCamp Director ... (Read More) New York AileyCamp Director Darius Williams and Campers (Hide)

Nasha Thomas with Newark ... (Read More) Nasha Thomas with Newark AileyCampers (Hide)

AileyCamp Newark Creative ... (Read More) AileyCamp Newark Creative Communications Class (Hide)

Featured Video

AileyCamp Overview

Featured News Releases

June 27, 2023

AileyCamp Inspires Youth in 10 Cities Nationwide With Life-Changing Perspective

New York, NY – JUNE 27, 2023 – AileyCamp, the nationally acclaimed program that helps middle schoolers reach for their potential, will positively impacts students ages 11-14 this summer with a curriculum guided by the theme, “perspective.” Fulfilling Alvin Ailey’s belief in enriching young lives through the arts, AileyCamp became a reality nearly 35 years ago in 1989 in partnership with the Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. This summer, with the launch of AileyCamp Atlanta in partnership with Purpose Built Schools, AileyCamp uplifts youth in 10 cities nationwide: Baltimore, MD; Berkeley, CA; Chicago, IL; Kansas City, KS and MO; Miami, FL; New York, NY; Newark, NJ and Seattle, WA.

June 05, 2023

AileyCamp Kicks Off Inaugural Partnership with Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, Aligning with Mayor Dickens’ ATL Year of the Youth Initiative

ATLANTA – June 5, 2023 – AileyCamp, the nationally acclaimed summer program that uses dance as a means to stretch the minds, bodies, and spirits of middle-school students, launches in Atlanta today in partnership with Purpose Built Schools Atlanta and continues through July 14 at Luther J. Price Middle School. Aligning with Atlanta’s “Year of the Youth” initiative announced by Mayor Dickens, the six-week, full scholarship program helps students ages 11-14 reach their full potential with classes in dance, personal development, creative communications, and inspiring daily affirmations. Founded by Alvin Ailey and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey in 1989, and now reaching 10 cities nationwide, AileyCamp develops self-esteem, self-discipline, creative expression, critical-thinking and goal-setting skills in a supportive environment.

January 10, 2023

AileyCamp Launches in Partnership with Purpose Built Schools Atlanta to Inspire and Transform Area Students Among 10 Cities Nationwide

ATLANTA – January 10, 2023 – AileyCamp, the nationally acclaimed summer program that uses dance as a means to stretch the minds, bodies, and spirits of middle-school students, is coming to Atlanta this summer from June 5 – July 14 at Luther J. Price Middle School in partnership with Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. The six-week, full scholarship program helps students ages 11-14 reach their full potential with classes in dance, personal development, creative communications, and inspiring daily affirmations. Founded by Alvin Ailey and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey in 1989, AileyCamp develops self-esteem, self-discipline, creative expression, critical-thinking and goal-setting skills in a supportive environment.

Featured Press Coverage

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July 26, 2023

ABC 7 Chicago - Ailey Camp Chicago Offers Summer Dance Program For Local Youth

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The talented kids at Ailey Camp Chicago are rehearsing for their upcoming grand finale, a show you can see for free! It's a program inspired by dance legend Alvin Ailey. He made history with his moves and his trailblazing company. Ailey founded the project to give kids a life-changing experience.

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July 28, 2022

NJ Spotlight News - A Camp Founded By Alvin Ailey Teaches Kids Dance – And Life Skills

Newark is one of nine cities where AileyCamp is being held. Instead of going swimming or playing sports at a typical summer camp, some kids in Newark are spending their weeks out of school a little differently. They’re learning various forms of dance and creative skills at AileyCamp, a six-week program that was started by the legendary dancer Alvin Ailey just before his passing in 1989.

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August 17, 2021

Dance Teacher - What My Teacher Taught Me: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Solomon Dumas On Lisa Johnson-Willingham

When I was in high school, my friends at The Chicago Academy for the Arts told me about Lisa Johnson-Willingham, an impressive former Ailey dancer who was teaching Horton at Joel Hall Dancers & Center on Thursday nights. I decided I ought to give her class a try. The first time I went, I didn’t even pay for class. In fact, I don’t think I ever paid for her class. She was tough as nails, but she was always generous. The room was packed with people from all over the city. From modern dancers to professional ballet dancers to young students—everyone wanted to learn from her. Her classroom got so hot from sweaty bodies that the windows completely fogged up and contrasted the cold night outside.