Arthur Mitchell (dancer)

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Arthur Mitchell (March 27, 1934 - ) is an African-American dancer and choreographer. He was born in New York City and attended the New York City High School of the Performing Arts, where he was the first male student to win the annual dance award. Mitchell went on to the School of American Ballet, and in 1955 joined the New York City Ballet, debuting in the fourth movement of George Balanchine's Western Symphony and becoming the first African-American male dancer to become a permanent member of a major ballet company. He became a principal dancer the following year. Remaining with the company for 15 years, Mitchell left in 1969 to co-found with Karel Shook the Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first black classical ballet company.

Mitchell danced in works include Agon, Afternoon of a Faun, and Ebony Concerto. As a choregrapher, his works include Rhythmetron (1968) and Ode to Otis (1969).

He is featured in the documentary Balanchine (2004). In 2005, in recognition of his contributions to African American culture, he won a Fletcher Foundation fellowship.