First Lady recognizes AileyCamp Miami during ceremony at the White House

Adrienne Arsht Center’s AileyCamp Miami performers

The Adrienne Arsht Center’s AileyCamp Miami, a free summer program that uses dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem in young students, recently received the 2016 National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award — the nation’s highest honor for creative youth development programs.

Janasia Johnson, 14, a 2016 camper, was at the White House along with Jairo Ontiveros, the Arsht Center’s director of Education and Community Engagement, to receive the award from First Lady Michelle Obama on behalf of AileyCamp Miami. The camp was recognized for its effectiveness in promoting learning and life skills in young people.

The award recognizes the country’s best after-school and out-of-school-time creative youth development programs for using engagement in the arts and the humanities to increase academic achievement, graduation rates, and college enrollment. The 12 awardees — chosen from a pool of more than 251 nominations and 50 finalists — also were recognized for improving literacy and language abilities, communication and performance skills, and cultural awareness.

“It was an honor to represent AileyCamp Miami and all my peers at the White House today. Accepting this award from First Lady Michelle Obama was an incredible moment for me because she is someone I look up to so much,” Johnson said. “I am thankful to the camp for helping me find my voice and confidence to reach for the stars and work hard towards fulfilling my dreams. This whole experience has proved to me that nothing is impossible!”

Fully funded with private and public support, AileyCamp Miami is produced by the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County through a partnership with Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation. The camp uses the power of dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, self-discipline, creative expression and critical thinking skills in vulnerable public middle school students in Miami.

AileyCamp Miami students learn four primary dance forms — ballet, modern, West African and jazz — as well as communication skills, and take personal development classes focused on everything from body image and nutrition to conflict resolution, bullying and drug prevention. Tuition, transportation, meals and dance wear are free for campers.

The six-week program annually provides 100 children, ages 11-14, with a performing arts experience they would not otherwise have. Campers show a marked improvement in dance and personal growth skills. The camp has achieved critical acclaim and widespread community recognition as a positive force for underserved youth in Miami-Dade County. Some 800 children have been served since the program started in 2009.

First presented in 1998, the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award is the signature program of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH). The awards are presented annually in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

In addition to the national recognition bestowed by receipt of the prestigious award, AileyCamp Miami will receive $10,000 to support its programming and engage more young people from the community.

“Today is a day for celebration. The Arsht Center is thrilled to celebrate this high honor from the White House and applaud all the young people that have been part of the AileyCamp Miami family since its inception. We’re also eternally grateful for the board members, sponsors, volunteers, staff and our partners at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for making this life-changing program possible,” said John Richard, Arsht Center president and CEO. “We strongly believe in the unique power of the performing arts as the catalyst for transformation and this prestigious recognition is the manifestation of that vision,” he added.

“Alvin Ailey understood the life-changing power of the arts and AileyCamp was the last program he implemented before his passing. It isn’t just about learning to dance, but about unleashing creativity, imagination, collaboration and hope. Because of where I’m standing now, I’m living proof of the impact of that exchange on a young person,” said artistic director Robert Battle. “Miami is where I grew up and was first touched by Ailey’s Revelations. I see myself in the faces of the young students in AileyCamp. I’m beyond thrilled that the Arsht offers this valuable program in my hometown and that it has received a preeminent honor at the White House given by our First Lady.”
Visit www.arshtcenter.org for more information.


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