Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey Celebrates 35 Years of AileyCamp
By Stephi Wild | May 24, 2024
The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) will be celebrating the 35th anniversary of their flagship AileyCamp program this year. An acclaimed initiative, AileyCamp focuses on empowering middle school children through the medium of dance and creative expression. Set to house up to 160 students aged 11 – 14 in Kansas and Missouri, AileyCamp will be held from June 5 to July 16, 2024.
Ever since its establishment in 1989, AileyCamp has played an instrumental role in nurturing the skills and talents of urban youth. The Gannett Foundation-backed program fosters creativity, self-discipline, self-esteem, and critical thinking in its participants. Tyrone Aiken, KCFAA’s Chief Artistic Officer, summarizes the spirit of AileyCamp as “the hope of undefined possibilities”. He adds that “In six weeks, children transform into capable, talented explorers of the arts.”
Foundation and Expansion of AileyCamp
AileyCamp was introduced as a middle school summer program in 1989 for students in the Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools. In 1999, a second AileyCamp was introduced to cater to students from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, and Topeka, thereby impacting hundreds of students throughout the greater metropolitan area of Kansas and Missouri.
Program Highlights
AileyCamp’s comprehensive curriculum hosts a variety of classes for the young participants. Taught by professional faculty from across the country, dance classes in jazz, tap, modern, and ballet serve as a platform for mentorship and inspiration. AileyCamp also incorporates creative communication classes, where campers learn to express themselves positively through creative writing, visual art, and music (percussion). Along with these artistic pursuits, AileyCamp also lays the groundwork for personal development by discussing essential life skills such as conflict resolution, self-esteem, health, nutrition, and peer relationships.
In addition to these, AileyCamp features guest speakers who serve as community role models, organizes community service initiatives and offers a range of field trips, Friday Fun Days, and family events, all of which foster a wholesome enrichment of cultural and artistic experiences.
A Look Ahead
The public is invited to the Open House for the Missouri camp on June 11 at Lincoln Middle School, and the Kansas camp on June 12 at Carl B Bruce Middle School. The 35th-anniversary Final Performance is set to be held on Sunday, July 14, 2024, at 5:30 pm at The Folly Theater. For more information about AileyCamp and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, please visit their website.
