Wrong: the inequaties of business.

In concert with the gala boycott, #ArtistofAiley has begun to catch on via Instagram. The company's AGMA dancers and stage managers started their own account, artistsofailey. Additional hashtags associated with display of unity have included #UnionStrong, #ReachingfortheStandard, #LovingWhatWeDo and #AGMA.

It's rumored that the Ailey dancers are demanding a discussion that could increase what they see as substandard wages and benefits. Officially, a press release from AGMA said negotiations began in December for a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the current one, which expires May 31.

Leonard Egert, national executive director of AGMA, writes in the release, "It is very concerning that Ailey's artists, predominately African-American dancers, earn much less than dancers at comparable companies with similar or even smaller budgets."

You can't help but note that this is taking place during Black History Month...

by Helena Andrews-Dyer

Feb. 7, 2018 

Alvin Ailey dancers circa. 2018. more feminine than ever before. . .

Alvin Ailey dancers Boycott Annual Gala at the Kennedy Center 



"It's rumored that the Ailey dancers are demanding a discussion that could increase what they see as substandard wages and benefits...

Leonard Egert, national executive director of AGMA, writes in the release, "It is very concerning that Ailey's artists, predominately African-American dancers, earn much less than dancers at comparable companies with similar or even smaller budgets."

...According to recent tax filings, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc—America's fourth largest dance company in terms of budget—has over $178 million in net assets, slightly over $13 million in contributed revenue (fundraising events, grants, and gifts) and sells over $20 million worth of tickets and merchandise yearly.

Griff Braun, AGMA's New York dance executive, added in the press release, "These artists put on more performances than any other major dance company in the United States—175 to 200 per year—with only one-third to one-half the number of dancers at other companies." 

dancers painted by Robin Joyce Miller titled Slide