Arthur Mitchell is known around the world for creating and sustaining Dance Theatre of Harlem, the internationally acclaimed ballet company he co-founded with Karel Shook in 1969. Following a brilliant career as a principal artist with the New York City Ballet Mr. Mitchell dedicated his life to changing perceptions and advancing the art form of ballet through the first permanently established African American and racially diverse ballet company. 

Born in New York City in 1934 Mr. Mitchell began his dance training at New York City's High School of the Performing Arts where he won the coveted annual dance award and subsequently a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet.  In 1955 he became the first male African American to become a permanent member of a major ballet company when he joined New York City Ballet. Mr. Mitchell rose quickly to the rank of Principal Dancer during his fifteen-year career with New York City Ballet and electrified audiences with his performances in a broad spectrum of roles.  Upon learning of the death of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and with financial assistance from Mrs. Alva B. Gimbel, The Ford Foundation, and his own savings, Mr. Mitchell founded Dance Theatre of Harlem with his mentor and ballet instructor Karel Shook.

With an illustrious career that spanned over fifty years Mr. Mitchell was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors a National Medal of the Arts a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship the New York Living Landmark Award the Handel Medallion the NAACP Image Award and more than a dozen honorary degrees.