Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

What Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater does

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, operating under the legal entity Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and branded as AILEY, is a New York-based modern dance organization founded in 1958. Headquartered at The Joan Weill Center for Dance (405 W 55th Street, New York), it operates as a private non-profit organization with 501-1000 employees. The organization serves dance patrons and theater audiences, dance students, recreational class participants, and youth/educational institutions, sharing the African American cultural experience through performance, training, and community programming.

The organization runs through several interconnected divisions: the flagship touring company presenting works by Alvin Ailey and guest choreographers (including the signature work "Revelations," plus repertory such as "Grace," "Night Creature," "Many Angels," "A Case of You," and "Cry"); The Ailey School, offering professional dance training for students ages 3-25 across Junior and Professional Divisions; Ailey Extension, offering drop-in classes (Horton, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, West African Dance, Zumba) to all ages; and community outreach programs including AileyCamp (ages 11-14), AileyDance Kids (Pre-K-12), AileyDance for Active Aging, National Outreach residencies, and Video Lessons. The core "technology" is domain expertise in dance pedagogy, notably the Horton technique, and a substantial choreographic repertory.

The business model is mixed and event-driven: revenue is generated from performance ticket sales (sold through third-party venue box offices such as Lincoln Center, Sadler's Wells, Ticketcorner, and Ticketmaster), tuition from The Ailey School, fees from Ailey Extension drop-in classes, fees from community programs, and donations/fundraising consistent with non-profit status. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and varies by venue and program. Go-to-market is event-driven and direct, anchored by a global touring schedule (New York, London, Zurich, Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto) and digital channels led by ailey.org, email newsletters, and social media.

Name

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Legal name

Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://alvinailey.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AILEY) is a New York-based non-profit modern dance organization founded in 1958, operating a global touring company, The Ailey School, Ailey Extension classes, and community programs, serving audiences, students, and communities worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts & Dance Education

NAICS

Dance Companies (71112), Fine Arts Schools (611610), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH), Dance & Movement (Ballroom, Contemporary, Social Dance) (EDAAAGAD)

Keywords

• Modern dance performances
• Professional dance training
• Community dance education
• Dance technique instruction
• Arts education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from live performance tickets at venues across New York, London, Zurich, Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Toronto.
2. Training Programs: The Ailey School offers professional dance training for students ages 3-25, generating tuition-based revenue.
3. Ailey Extension Classes: Drop-in dance classes taught by world-renowned instructors for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
4. Donations and Fundraising: As a non-profit organization, donations support the pioneering vision of founder Alvin Ailey to deliver dance back to the people.
5. Community Programs: AileyDance Kids, AileyCamp, AileyDance for Active Aging, National Outreach, and Video Lessons programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater operates a premier modern dance company presenting live performances at major venues worldwide, including works by Alvin Ailey and guest choreographers. The organization runs The Ailey School providing professional dance training for students ages 3-25, Ailey Extension offering drop-in classes to the public, and community outreach programs including AileyCamp, AileyDance Kids, AileyDance for Active Aging, and National Outreach residencies.

Product overview

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a premier dance company offering a unified portfolio of live performance and dance education services. The organization operates through several interconnected divisions: the main performing company presenting works by Alvin Ailey and guest choreographers at major venues worldwide; The Ailey School providing professional dance training; Ailey Extension offering public drop-in classes; and community outreach programs including AileyCamp, AileyDance Kids, AileyDance For Active Aging, National Outreach, and Video Lessons. The company also maintains a current repertory featuring signature works like Revelations, Grace, Night Creature, and newer commissions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Ailey School: Official school offering training of the highest caliber in a nurturing environment for students ages 3–25
• Ailey Extension
• AileyDance Kids
• AileyCamp
• AileyDance For Active Aging
• National Outreach
• Video Lessons

Products and services

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Performances The main touring dance company presenting contemporary and classical dance performances featuring works by Alvin Ailey and guest choreographers at venues worldwide including Lincoln Center, Sadler's Wells Theatre in London, and international venues in Zurich, Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Toronto.
• The Ailey School The official school of Alvin Ailey offering professional dance training of the highest caliber in a nurturing environment for students ages 3-25, including Junior Division and Professional Division programs located at the Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York.
• Ailey Extension Drop-in open dance classes taught by world-renowned instructors for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels, offering techniques including Horton, Ballet, Hip Hop, Contemporary, West African Dance, and Zumba.
• AileyCamp An innovative summer program for ages 11-14 providing intensive dance instruction combined with personal development and creative enrichment.
• AileyDance Kids Dance education programs for students Pre-K through 12 in the NY Metropolitan Area, bringing dance instruction directly to schools and community centers.
• AileyDance For Active Aging Dance programs for adults in community centers and residential facilities, promoting physical wellness and creative expression for active aging populations.
• National Outreach Residencies for school-age youth in cities nationwide, bringing professional dancers and educators to communities to provide dance instruction and enrichment.
• Video Lessons Dance education through online learning, providing virtual dance workshops and instructional content accessible to people remotely.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves dancers and audiences of all ages and backgrounds - 'Dance Is for Everybody'

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• New York City Ballet: Largest classical ballet company in the US, also NYC-based and operates its own affiliated school (School of American Ballet). Directly comparable as a major performing arts institution with global touring, in-house training, and education programs.
• American Ballet Theatre: Premier US ballet company that, like Alvin Ailey, is a large performing arts non-profit based in NYC with international touring and educational programs (including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School). Comparable scale, mission, and operating model.
• Martha Graham Dance Company: One of the oldest and most influential American modern dance companies, NYC-based non-profit with international touring, signature repertory works, and educational programs. Closely comparable as a modern-dance peer with similar business model.
• Paul Taylor American Modern Dance: Major American modern dance company with touring, repertory legacy works, and educational outreach. Directly comparable to Alvin Ailey in repertoire-driven, mission-focused modern dance programming.
• Mark Morris Dance Group: Renowned contemporary/modern dance company with touring, signature repertory, and education programs (including The School at Mark Morris). Peer as a vertically integrated dance non-profit combining performance and instruction.
• Joffrey Ballet: Major US ballet company with national touring, in-house academy (Joffrey Academy of Dance), and community engagement programs. Comparable operating structure and ticket-revenue model to Alvin Ailey.
• Houston Ballet: One of the largest US ballet companies with substantial international touring and Houston Ballet Academy. Comparable in scale, multi-revenue structure, and educational mission.

Emerging players

• Pilobolus: Innovative modern dance company with international touring, commercial collaborations, and educational programming. Comparable as a modern-dance touring entity with educational outreach, though smaller and more experimental in programming.

Others

• The Joyce Theater: NYC-based dance presenting venue that hosts Alvin Ailey and many peer companies. Comparable ecosystem participant that drives live performance ticket revenue and serves as a key distribution channel.
• Steps on Broadway: Major NYC dance studio and training center offering drop-in adult classes — directly overlaps with Ailey Extension in product (recreational adult dance classes). Comparable as a NYC dance-education adult-class peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/alvinaileyamericandancetheater
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater