Art in Motion: Exploring Dance and Art in New York City

Alvin Ailey and Contemporary Art in NYC

On behalf of Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Artful Jaunts we are delighted to invite you on an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime, three-day exploration in New York City! This trip is exclusively offered to specific Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey donors and Nelson-Atkins Society of Fellows members at the Collector Circle level and above.   

The Whitney Museum of American Art is partnering with The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation for the upcoming exhibition: Edges of Ailey. This trip will kick-off the first night with special access to the VIP opening night at the Whitney celebrating the new exhibition Edges of Ailey. On Thursday morning, we will have a private curator-led tour of the exhibition providing an insightful deep dive into the history of this amazing man and American dance theater. In addition, the Alvin Ailey team has invited us to an exclusive behind the scenes experience in their studio to show their appreciation for the support not only of this exhibition, but the overall organization over the years. In addition to the VIP Alvin Ailey experiences, we will also be provided a blue-chip behind the scenes art tour, including a special studio visit to see artist Hank Willis Thomas, a rare visit to the townhouse of artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and surprise artist studio visit to be announced over the summer. We will also visit several leading galleries who will curate back room VIP experiences, including Jack Shainman Gallery. We will be treated to a very special evening around cocktails at Raymond J. McGuire and Crystal McCrary's condominium on the upper west side. Ray is the current Chairman of The Studio Museum in Harlem as well as a trustee at The Whitney Museum of Art. Their collection which focuses on black artists is a not to be missed treat for any art lover with works by artists, including Glenn Lignon, Sam Gilliam, Normal Lewis, Rashid Johnson, Julie Mehretu, Theaster Gates, Kehinde Wiley, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye, and many others. Finally, we will visit The Brooklyn Museum where Catherine Futter, Director of Curatorial Affairs at Brooklyn Museum, will lead our group on a private tour of the permanent and current exhibitions.

The hospitality will include high styled intimate Lombardy hotel well located in midtown for those who might want to sneak away for a little shopping. Our dining will capture the sophisitcated vibe of NYC. We are planning a relaxed night for patrons to discuss the all things Alvin Ailey and contemporary art scene at New York institution, Serafina. Sit-down lunches will be included on Thursday and Friday of your trip. We will have a luxury coach all three days transporting us around the city to the different art experiences.

The Alvin Ailey experience is priced at $3200 per person with double occupancy and $3885 for single occupancy and includes all transportation, lodging, and specific meals during your trip. This trip is limited to 36 guests at which point we will start a waitlist and your booking is requested by May 17, 2024. A minimum of 20 guests is required to operate this trip. The trip will start Wednesday, September 18th at The Lombardy Hotel where the group will gather in the lobby to depart together in the afternoon for a private gallery visit followed by the VIP Whitney opening party. The trip will conclude Friday, September 20th with departures after 3pm. Hotel extensions are available.

Your Artful Jaunts tour contact is Latasha Thomas (latasha@artfuljaunts.com or 781-658-2270, office). She is available to help with any questions or assistance during the registration process.

No refund will be provided for cancellations within sixty days of the trip's start date. If the museum has another patron to fill a spot a substitution will be allowed. After the trip has commenced, no refunds are available, even if the client does not partake in all of the trip's activities or leaves the trip early. We highly recommend trip insurance offered when booking. All programming may change and is subject to availability of hosts, collectors and artists.

All programming may change and is subject to availability of hosts, collectors and artists.

Recommended Flights:

Delta Airlines: MCI to LGA nonstop at 6:34 AM departure, 10:29 AM arrival

Delta Airlines: MCI to LGA nonstop at 10:05 AM departure, 1:57 PM arrival

Book KC Friends in NYC