Artists and cultural leaders have been at the forefront of social change throughout US history. Today, in the face of growing intolerance and widening inequality, the arts have the power to transform how people view each other and the world around them.

The artists and cultural leaders we’ve selected for Art of Change fellowships all have a demonstrated commitment to social justice and reflect a powerful diversity of experiences and creative voices. Drawn from a wide range of artistic fields, the fellows span generations, backgrounds, geographies, and life experiences—and together tell a rich and varied American story.

Click through below to read full bios of all our remarkable Art of Change fellows. Read the full announcement.


Photo of Luis Alfaro

Luis Alfaro

Writer, performer, educator

Photo of Mikhail Baryshnikov

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Dance and theater artist, director

Photo of Camille Brown

Camille A. Brown

Dancer, choreographer

Photo of P Carl

P. Carl

Theater director, cultural organizer

Photo of Ping Chong

Ping Chong

Theater director, choreographer, video and installation artist

Photo of Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros

Poet, short story writer, novelist, essayist, artist

Photo of Edwidge Danticat

Edwidge Danticat

Novelist

Photo of Michelle Dorrance

Michelle Dorrance

Dancer, tap choreographer

Photo of Gustavo Dudamel

Gustavo Dudamel

Symphonic and operatic conductor

Photo of Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay

Filmmaker

Photo of Mohammed Fairouz

Mohammed Fairouz

Composer

Photo of Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo

Poet, musician

Photo of Samuel Hoi

Samuel Hoi

Higher education leader, art and design educator

Photo of Deborah Luster

Deborah Luster

Visual artist

Photo of Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran

Alicia Hall Moran and Jason moran

Musicians, composers, educators

Photo of Dominique Morisseau

Dominique Morisseau

Theater actor, playwright

Photo of Mira Nair

Mira Nair

Actress, film director, writer, and producer

Photo of Las Nietas de Nono

Las Nietas de Nonó

Multimedia artists

Photo of Postcommodity

Postcommodity

Interdisciplinary arts collective

Photo of Lori Pourier

Lori Pourier

Native American arts and culture leader

Photo of Esperanza Spalding

Esperanza Spalding

Bassist, singer, songwriter

Photo of Carlton Turner

Carlton Turner

Performing artist, organizer

Photo of Fred Wilson

Fred Wilson

Multimedia artist