A diverse community united by dance to inspire and change lives, KCFAA is unique among arts organizations because of its multi-part mission.
Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) serves Kansas City in a three-part role as an educator, presenter, and unifier. Through our annual Symposium and other events, we facilitate the dialogue about race, place, and diversity in Kansas City. We are the only presenter of New York’s Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II in Kansas City and are the company’s only second home. As an arts educator, our mission is to reach the neediest children in the Kansas City area, both in and out of school, and teach critical life skills through dance.
Our Mission & Vision
The mission of Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA) is making dance accessible to all people by presenting the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II, teaching young people critical life skills through dance, and modeling interracial and multi-cultural community partnerships.
- KCFAA solely presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II in annual performances in Kansas City theaters.
- As the only official second home of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, KCFAA supports the work, vision and future sustainability of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. through secured annual residencies, new work commissions and general efforts to advance the legacy of Alvin Ailey and support the leadership of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Artistic Director Robert Battle.
- KCFAA develops and delivers youth programming that uses the art of dance as a vehicle to improve knowledge, increase self-esteem, enhance critical thinking skills, and encourage positive role models and smart life choices. KCFAA reaches more than 25,000 people each year through year-round programs.
- KCFAA encourages diversity of people and ideas through its organizational structure, uniting people across racial, ethnic and social barriers to promote awareness, respect, friendship, and ultimately, community-wide social change.
Vision
A diverse community united by dance to inspire and change lives.
Our History
Alvin Ailey first brought his groundbreaking modern dance company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, to Kansas City in 1968, initiating a decade of performances. In 1984, more than one hundred Kansas City civic, corporate and community leaders, responding to a call for action by Mayor Richard Berkley, founded Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey. Mr. Ailey’s creation and world premiere of For Bird-With Love celebrated Kansas City as the company’s second home.
As the official second home, KCFAA presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater or Ailey II annually and furthers Alvin Ailey’s vision of making dance accessible to all people. As demand for programming grew, KCFAA responded by creating innovative arts education programs, including the six-week summer AileyCamp and the new year-round KCFAA Studio Programs. KCFAA serves more than 20,000 young people through robust arts education programs.
KCFAA encourages diversity of people and ideas through its organizational structure, uniting people across racial, ethnic and social barriers to promote awareness, respect, friendship, and ultimately, community-wide social change.
KCFAA awards and honors include the Coming Up Taller Award from the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, presented by First Lady Laura Bush, the Governor’s Arts Award presented by the Kansas Arts Commission, and the Missouri Arts Award.
Since 1984, KCFAA’s efforts have reached more than 1.2 million people in the Kansas City community. Because of your continued support, KCFAA will continue to reach and positively impact young and old far into the future.