Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is hailed as cultural ambassador to the world by the US Congress and is renowned for its stellar performances, high-caliber dance training, and innovative educational initiatives which reach nearly 500,000 people around the globe each year. Matthew Rushing, Interim Artistic Director, continues the pioneering work of Alvin Ailey and furthers the development of a cultural community which provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.AILEY has a rich and inspiring history rooted in African American traditions and provides young people with a range of role models within its group of experienced instructors. Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (AAIE) employs teaching artists and musicians part-time to instruct and accompany dance residencies in a variety of dance techniques. AAIE's teaching artists provide a standards-based, rigorous approach to teaching dance. AAIE's musicians serve as accompanists to the teaching artists. Dance residencies take place off-site at Pre-K - 12 public, charter, and private schools both during the school day and in after-school programs; at community centers, hospitals, and other community-based organizations; as well as on-site at The Joan Weill Center for Dance. Dance residency assignments vary in length and class frequency from a 2-hour workshop to a multi-week residency with 2-5 classes per day.Through its Arts In Education programs, AILEY is dedicated to meeting the following goals:
- Promote self-esteem, self-expression and critical thinking;
- Convey the value of commitment, self-discipline, dedication and emotional expression to be found through the art of dance;
- Provide opportunities for cultural enrichment offered by dance training and attendance at performances;
- Provide opportunities to develop positive peer relationships;
- Provide appropriate role models;
- Introduce young people to the artistry of professional dancers and the demands/rewards of a career in the arts;
- Instill respect for and pride in one's own body and personal expression; and
- Encourage teachers and students to make connections between dance and students' academic subjects, stimulating learning in the classroom.
AAIE teaching artists report to the Director, Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, and are responsible for supporting the mission of the AILEY and its Arts In Education initiatives, which include AileyDance Kids, AileyCamp, AileyDance for Active Aging, and National Outreach.SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:For each dance residency, AAIE teaching artists are responsible for conducting a planning meeting with the school or organizational liaison and participating teachers, and designing and submitting lesson plans based on the themes and ideas discussed in the planning meeting and/or AAIE's annual theme, all rooted in the specific dance technique assigned.AAIE musicians accompany the teaching artists and are responsible for supporting the goals of the residency and act as a role model for the students. They also attend the planning meeting with the teaching artists.Administrative responsibilities for teaching artists include:
- Timely response to all work offers;
- Submission of a time sheet, signed by the responsible party at the site, for each instructional session;
- Submission of required evaluation surveys;
- Encouraging the successful completion of SurveyMonkey evaluation surveys by teachers;
- Attending an annual meeting for AAIE artists each fall; and
- Submission of a lesson plan for each residency assigned, based on the goals of AAIE's annual theme.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONSTeaching artists should demonstrate expertise working in a particular dance technique(s) as a professional artist and educator. They should possess a passion for working with youth and adults and a commitment to inspiring an appreciation for the joy of dance.AAIE artists must have availability to work during school hours, after-school, and during occasional evenings and weekends. They must be willing to travel to schools and organizations within the five NYC boroughs and in the NYC major metropolitan area. Additionally, there may be occasional travel to a national or international site. Proof of fingerprinting clearance through the NYC Department of Education (DOE) is required for employment. Additional fingerprinting clearance may be required for work outside of NYC DOE. Note: As fingerprinting clearance is a condition of employment, if an applicant is flagged as ineligible by the NYC DOE or any other clearance system, they will not be hired as an AAIE artist until the matter is resolved. If, at any time during employment, an AAIE artist is flagged as ineligible by the NYC DOE or any other clearance system, the AAIE artist will be temporarily removed from their work assignment(s), and if the matter is not resolved, may be terminated. COMPENSATIONAiley Arts In Education teaching artists are part-time employees and compensation for local work is on a per class basis. In addition, travel to sites in the NYC metro area is reimbursed. SUBMISSION PROCEDUREInterested dance instructors should visit the AILEY website at www.ailey.org to become familiar with the AILEY and its Arts In Education programs.