Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Issues Historic Challenge Grant To Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey.
This grant of $375,000 is the largest grant in Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey‘s history and will support new and established artistic, educational and community programming in the Kansas City region.
“The Muriel McBrien Kauffman challenge grant is an important milestone for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey as we enter our Thirtieth Anniversary Year, and we appreciate this significant support from Julia Irene Kauffman and the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation.” Tyrone Aiken, Executive Director KCFAA
“The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation strongly believes that KCFAA has the vision and potential to develop new audiences and leaders for the arts, and we challenge the Kansas City community to join our commitment and investment.”
David C. Lady, President & COO Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation
WHY IS THIS GRANT IMPORTANT TO KANSAS CITY?
Michael Kaiser, President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and recognized authority in arts management, validates KCFAA’s unique role as a dynamic national force for bringing people together through the arts.
Consulting with KCFAA on a grant from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, he has designed a 5-year strategic plan to expand the entrepreneurial strengths of the organization.
Kaiser began his arts management career as CEO of Kansas City Ballet, serving as CEO of the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, American Ballet Theater and Royal Opera House before assuming his current CEO role at the Kennedy Center. He formed the DeVos Institute of Arts Management, and has been a consultant for more than 600 arts institutions world-wide, including Miami City Ballet, Penumbra Theater and El Museo del Barrio. The Institute also teaches arts management to board and staff members across the globe under the auspices of the Ford Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and Knight Foundation, among others.
KCFAA’s strategic plan is designed to position KCFAA as a national model for bridging racial and cultural differences, thereby highlighting Kansas City as THE CITY that embraces diversity and innovative arts partnerships.
THE MURIEL MCBRIEN KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION AND THE KANSAS CITY FRIENDS OF ALVIN AILEY
The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, the premiere supporter of Kansas City arts institutions, has provided consistent major funding for Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey at every significant juncture in KCFAA’s 30-year history. Previous grants have supported the establishment of a KCFAA endowment fund, World Premieres of new Ailey works by Kansas City choreographers, and the creation of KCFAA’s national award-winning AileyCamp, now replicated in 10 cities. Today’s Challenge Grant of $375,000, to be matched by $375,000 in new or increased revenue, is a testament to the Foundation’s philanthropic commitment to the entire arts community.
As an indication of her involvement, Julia Irene Kauffman, Chairman of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, will serve as KCFAA’s Honorary 30th Anniversary Year Chair.
WHY KCFAA?
Unique tri-part mission:
- Artistic – As the only official second home of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, KCFAA supports Mr. Ailey’s vision: “Dance came from the people, and should be delivered back to the people” through residency performances, new work commissions, and a broadening audience base that have extended the Ailey legacy, through the leadership of his immediate successor, Judith Jamison, and the current Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle.
- Educational – 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 30,000 young people each year through ten year-round programs. A complete list of youth programs is enclosed.
- Community – 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.
THE 5-YEAR PLAN AND KCFAA’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE:
The five year strategic plan strengthens KCFAA’s role as a national leader for uniting people of diverse backgrounds through year-round activities of performance, educational and community programs.
KCFAA, while continuing its current year-round programs, will add several new components over the next five years. First to be scheduled are symposia, lectures, panels about multi-cultural partnerships in the arts, and a national on-line competition for aspiring high school arts visionaries. An exciting community outreach opportunity, “Ailey in Your Neighborhood” will bring the Ailey magic to schools, stores and streets – one neighborhood at a time.
KCFAA’s 2014 Thirtieth Anniversary calendar will be announced in detail at a community celebration this spring, and will culminate with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Residency performances October 21-25 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
