15 Feb 2025 4 min read Blog

Black History Month: Arthur Mitchell

Learn about the first African-American to become a principal dancer with a major ballet troupe, the New York City Ballet.

Today's Black History Month illustration is of Arthur Mitchell, the first African American to become a principal dancer with a major ballet troupe, the New York City Ballet.

an illustration of the legendary ballet dancer Arthur Mitchell by Alleanna Harris — Arthur Mitchell by Alleanna Harris

Mitchell was born in Harlem in 1934. He attended the High School for the Performing Arts in NYC, and graduated in 1952 with scholarships to the Dunham School and the School of American Ballet.

a black and white photo of the Black ballet legend Arthur Mitchell — Arthur Mitchell dancing. Photo by Martha Swope.

After high school, Mitchell performed on Broadway in House of Flowers with Geoffrey Holder, Alvin Ailey, and Pearl Bailey.

a black and white photo of the legendary dancer Arthur Mitchell mid dance — Arthur Mitchell dancing with New York City Ballet, 1963. Courtesy of Jack Mitchell/Getty Images.

In 1956, Mitchell was invited to join the New York City Ballet, where he became their only Black dancer. In 1962, he was promoted to principal dancer. He was also the protege of George Balanchine, the co-founder of the School of American Ballet. Balanchine created roles specifically for him, especially in Agon (1957) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1962).

Because of the prejudice against Black dancers within ballet and the assassination of MLK Jr, Mitchell became determined to form an all-Black ballet company. In 1969, at the height of the civil rights movement, Mitchell and his former ballet master Karel Shook created the first Black classical ballet company, the Dance Theatre of Harlem. It was an integrated and diverse school, and its associated company made its debut in 1971 at the Guggenheim.

Karel Shook and Arthur Mitchell, the co-founders of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1971. Photo by Marbeth.

When Mitchell began Dance Theatre of Harlem, Balanchine gave him the rights to several ballets. This gave Mitchell and the Theatre a repertoire of modern classics and a strong base. By 1979, they toured internationally with a repertoire of 46 ballets.

George Balanchine and Arthur Mitchell dancing. — George Balanchine and Arthur Mitchell. Courtesy of Dance Theatre Harlem.

In the 80s, they reached the forefront of the American ballet scene by infusing new life into older works.

Arthur Mitchell sitting next to a poster for the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Throughout the 90s, Dance Theatre of Harlem broke racial and political boundaries. They were the first American ballet company to perform in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union and they went on tour to South Africa at the tail end of apartheid.

Arthur Mitchell and dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem in the former Soviet Union — Dance Theatre of Harlem Company in the former Soviet Union. Courtesy of Dance Theatre Harlem.

They challenged racial constructs through sharing their art. The company went on hiatus due to financial difficulties in 2004, but was revived in 2012.

Balanchine's "Agon Pas de Deux" with Diana Adams and Arthur Mitchell. 1960.

Mitchell has been recognized as a MacArthur Fellow (genius grant) and received the US National Medal of Arts, which is the highest American honor given for achievement in the arts.

a portrait of Arthur Mitchell, the founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem — Photo by Joan Marcus.

My illustration of Arthur Mitchell is available as an art print here.

I’ll be back tomorrow with another illustration and story!

-Alleanna

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