Arthur Mitchell (dancer)

thumb|Arthur Mitchell Arthur Mitchell (27 March 1934 - 19 September 2018) was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder and director of ballet companies. In 1955, he was the first African-American dancer with the New York City Ballet, where he was promoted to principal dancer the following year and danced in major roles until 1966. He then founded ballet companies in Spoleto, Washington, D.C., and Brazil. In 1969, he founded a training school and the first African-American classical ballet company, Dance Theatre of Harlem. Among other awards, Mitchell was recognized as a MacArthur Fellow, inducted into the National Museum of Dance's Mr. & Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney Hall of Fame, and received the United States National Medal of Arts and a Fletcher Foundation fellowship. Quotes What can I acquire that would make me so good people would use me regardless of my skin color? The more interracial the audience is, the better off it's going to be for that company Arthur Mitchell 2016 We all know that racism has not disappeared and these things have to be recognised Arthur Mitchell: Founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem 28 February 2004 I believe that dance, and the arts more broadly, can be used as a catalyst for social change Arthur Mitchell, a dancer who broke down barriers, brings archive to Columbia Fall 2015 A black ballet school and a black ballet company are the equal of the best of their kind anywhere in the world Arthur Mitchell: "You Must Believe in What You're Doing And, Against All Odds…Stick to It." 11 January 2018 I’m tired of hearing, that I’m an exception. It’s not a matter of exception. It’s just that I had the opportunity We’re not saying everyone has to be a ballet dancer. Do your own thing, but have the technique to compete What does dance give you? The freedom to be who you are and do what you want to do American choreographer, dancer, Arthur Mitchell (1934 - 2018) 20 September 2018 External links Category:Dancers from the United States Category:Choreographers Category:MacArthur Fellows Category:African Americans Category:People from New York City Category:1934 births Category:2018 deaths