Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. (Ailey) has developed a comprehensive plan, Ailey Forward, for reopening the Joan Weill Center for Dance (The Center) at 405 West 55th Street, New York, New York for the organization’s fiscal year 2021.

Careful planning to welcome dancers, students, teachers, musicians, and essential staff addresses public health concerns and outlines how the highest percent of Ailey’s operations can be returned to The Center while reducing the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Ailey is committed to continually update and revise Ailey Forward in response to new guidance and regulation from state and federal sources as those should become available.

Ailey has long worked in concert with colleagues and advisors in New York’s top health and medical facilities and provided best in class physical therapy and medical referrals for its professional dancers, students, and staff. Building on this history of commitment to health and well-being, Ailey has established methods of screening, contact tracing and isolation, modified operations, enhanced cleaning, and planned an education campaign around safe behaviors that optimize the safety of employees, students, as well as others who are permitted to enter the building (i.e. necessary independent contractors). Ailey Forward is fully compliant with the directives of the governor’s office, as communicated in NY Forward.

To effectuate the plan, Ailey will:

1. Conform to the critical key metrics for reopening New York City developed by Governor Cuomo and other officials, including the local prevalence criterion, before commencing operations.
2. Maintain close contact with New York City’s Department of Health.
3. Partner with Fordham University for its program to test and treat students enrolled in the Ailey/Fordham joint BFA Program.
4. Partner with the School of Visual Arts to isolate students as necessary residing at SVA’s Ludlow residence hall located at 101 Ludlow Street, New York, New York, 10002.
5. Partner with the Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) located at 328 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036 to comply with its Safety Plan mandated by the New York State Department of Education to be made available as of July 31, 2020.
6. Ensure the availability of screening and tracing, as well as recommending testing options in New York City to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 infection, including:
   1. Require all employees and when possible, students, be tested five (5) days in advance of returning to 405 West 55th Street, NY, NY.
   2. Put in place a screening program (Healthcheck) that is mandatory for Ailey employees and students. After completing all aspects of the mandatory screening program, a person will gain clearance to access The Center.
   3. Put in place a screening program (Healthcheck) for visitors who are deemed essential by pre-designated staff (i.e. Facilities Director), in order to gain access to The Center.
   4. Put in place a screening program (Healthcheck) that establishes protocols for tracing in accordance with Government guidelines and requirements.
7. Make available sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
8. Encourage flu vaccinations to all community members.
9. Make its cleaning and disinfecting schedules available.
10. Provide access to Fordham’s, SVA’s, and PPAS’ safety plans.
11. Articulate Ailey’s plan for social distancing during all activities (conditioning, teaching whether live and/or recorded, office and administrative interactions, physical therapy operations in accordance with government regulations, hydration and nutrition, lavatory use, including facilities modification where appropriate.
12. Utilize a flexible hybrid model for instruction containing a mix of synchronous and asynchronous elements, thus allowing Ailey to pivot from partially to fully online learning if circumstances make that necessary.
13. Execute a methodical shut-down plan if the decision is made to ramp down activities. Have communication and education plans in place for employees, students, families, along with other community members.
14. Establish a non-visitor/no guardian policy with strict exception policy.
15. Retain a copy of Ailey Forward at Ailey’s Front Security Desk and The Facility Manager’s Office for a Department of Building’s Inspector or New York State Health Official. Signage at The Center’s entrance will identify these locations to refer where these copies can be accessed.

Read/download the entire text of the Ailey Forward plan

COVID-19 Professional and Junior Division 2020–2021 School Year FAQs

Ailey's Response to COVID-19