Arthur Aviles

After Arthur Aviles received a Bachelor of Arts degree in dance and theater from Bard College, he joined the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, touring with them internationally. New York Times dance critic, Jennifer Dunning said that Aviles “shot through Mr. Jones’s dances like a small comet.”

After eight years with Jones/Zane, Aviles founded his own company, beginning in Lyons France. An invitation from a founder of The Point, a cultural center in the Hunts Point section of The Bronx brought him back to his native city.
Aviles, an openly gay man living and working in a predominately Latino community, has defined himself and the culture he represents as New York Rican. His Arthur Aviles Typical Theater is located at the Bronx Academy of Art and Dance, known as BAAD. The company consists of five core dancers and professionals who are called in for specific projects. Mr. Aviles keeps the company “Bronx” by working with Bronx born and based artists and encouraging a high level of community involvement.

Aviles is currently developing a movement technique called “Swift Flow” which explores the body’s ability to use flow as a primary source of propulsion.

Aviles received a Bessie Award and a Brio Award, and his company has been recognized by the Bronx Borough President He completed a month’s dance residency in Tuscany during the summer of 2004.

This bio/description was originally published in 2004 and updated in 2013. For more current information, please refer to the award recipient's website (if provided).