NYC Mayor’s Office Announces Installation Of Photos From Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Throughout City Hall

MAYOR ADAMS, DCLA COMMISSIONER CUMBO ANNOUNCE INSTALLATION OF PHOTOS FROM ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER THROUGHOUT CITY HALL 

Celebrating Black History Month, 15 Photos from Ailey Moves NYC! Program Installed Throughout City Hall, Kicking Off New Initiative to Exhibit Artworks in City Buildings

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, and Alvin Ailey artistic director Robert Battle today announced the installation of 15 photos from the Ailey Moves NYC! Program throughout City Hall. The photos — which will adorn the rotunda, conference rooms and other workspaces throughout the executive side of the building — depict the lively public performances that Ailey Moves NYC! brought to New York City and reinforce the city’s recovery over the summer of 2022. While the installation is beginning during Black History Month, it will last six months, and marks the beginning of a broader initiative that will bring different artwork to spaces in city buildings across the five boroughs.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations at Coney Island,. Image Credit – Rob DeMartin

“Art is reflective of the times, and thanks to Alvin Ailey, City Hall will be able to display glimpses of their Ailey Moves NYC! performances that took place across the five boroughs right on time for Black History Month,” said Mayor Adams. “With this installation, we are bringing new vibrancy and life to this historic building and displaying just some of the beautiful artwork available in our city. We look forward to additional displays by a range of artists in the future.”

“Art and culture are central to who we are as New Yorkers, and these inspiring and vibrant portraits of Alvin Ailey dancers at work across the city are a powerful reminder of New York City’s creative energy to all who visit City Hall,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “Thank you to Robert Battle and the Alvin Ailey team for lending us these extraordinary artworks.”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Rennie Harris Lazarus at Coney Island, AileyMovesNYC 2022. Image Credit – Rob DeMartin

“We extend gratitude to the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for bringing vibrancy and more life to City Hall with this photo series installation chronicling our cities recovery during the pandemic. A picture is worth a thousand words,” said Chief Advisor Ingrid Lewis Martin. “It is exhilarating to see the Alvin Ailey dancers’ movements all through City Hall, and we look forward to finding more creative ways to showcase different works of art in the future.”

Ailey II’s Kali Marie Oliver in Andrea Miller’s Psūkhe at Ailey Moves NYC! 2022 Bryant Park Picnic Performances. Image Credit – Rob DeMartin

“With their artistry and commitment to public engagement, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater embodies what makes our city so extraordinary,” said DCLA Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. “For Black History Month, we’re honored to install this series of photos from Ailey Moves NYC! on display in City Hall. The photos of these amazing, vibrant public programs led by artists of color will bring the energy of New York to the heart of our local government, inspiring the public servants who are committed to uplifting the creative life and energy of our city.”

“I am proud that Mayor Eric Adams and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo have set the stage for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater images to step onto the walls of City Hall, highlighting the diversity of New York City’s cultural landscape during Black History Month,” said Robert Battle, artistic director, Ailey Artistic. “The photographs showcase Ailey Moves NYC!, a free summer festival with dance events in all five boroughs offered in the spirit of Mr. Ailey himself, who said, ‘Dance comes from the people and should always be delivered back to the people.’ We joyfully share these portraits of the many faces of the city as Ailey delivers dance that unites and inspires all, rooted in the African American heritage and a universal celebration of the human spirit.”

Banner Image: Photos from Alvin Ailey Moves NYC! on display in the City Hall Rotunda. Image Credit – NYC Mayor’s Office

NYC Department Of Cultural Affairs

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the largest municipal funder of culture in the country and is committed to providing access to art and culture for all New Yorkers.