Arthur Mitchell

Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow awarded Arthur Mitchell an honorary degree
during the University's 2003 Commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 18, 2003

Medford/Somerville, Mass. [05.18.03] -- Arthur Mitchell… in 1955, a dancer of extraordinary grace, strength, and passion demonstrated that the arts exist for the expression and enjoyment of all people.

As the first African-American member of the New York City Ballet, you affirmed that talent transcends race, and that beauty in performance knows no demographic boundary.

Your love for dance, and your commitment to better the lives of children by infusing the joy and rigor of performance, resulted in the formation of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969.Your bold venture was an overnight success, and now, more than 30 years later, continues to underscore the importance of faith, encouragement, and opportunity in the education of young people. As a result of your leadership, the Dance Theatre of Harlem has given countless young artists the chance to master their skills and to display in the international arena the universal qualities of excellence and acceptance.

For your outstanding contributions to the arts and to the lives of so many performers, you have been awarded, among many honors, the National Medal of Arts, an Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and a Kennedy Center Honor. Arthur Mitchell, Tufts University is proud today to join in the celebration of your inspiring achievements by awarding you the degree of Doctor of Fine Arts, Honoris Causa.