Arthur Adam Mitchell (1934–2018) was a revolutionary force in American dance. From breaking racial barriers as New York City Ballet’s first permanent Black principal dancer to founding Dance Theatre of Harlem, he expanded who could train, perform, and belong in classical ballet. Committed to artistry, legacy, and access, his work endures through Judy Tyrus and ChromaDiverse. Essential history and artists’ stories remain visible, searchable, preserved, and lasting for future generations.
Arthur Mitchell standing in front of the Church of the Master, in Harlem. With an unmistakable air of self‑assurance, this image documents the site where much of the foundational structure of Dance Theatre of Harlem was formed. It was here that artists, donors, and administrators were brought together and set to work, laying the groundwork that would transform a vision into the remarkable institution known as Dance Theatre of Harlem.
On August 25, 1955, Arthur Mitchell received a telegram from Lincoln Kirstein, then managing director of the New York City Ballet, offering him the opportunity to dance as a permanent member of the corps de ballet. The contract paid $90 per week and would change the course of Arthur Mitchell's life. Photos: Martha Swope, Courtesy of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, DTH Book Extras
Arthur Mitchell combined warmth with rigor and vision with strong discipline. Charismatic yet so exacting, loving yet the most demanding, his unmatched work ethic shaped generations and redefined what was possible in ballet. Photos: Marbeth, Courtesy of ChromaDiverse, DTH Book Extras
