Aaron P Dworkin

Named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow, Aaron P. Dworkin is Professor of Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan and former dean of its School of Music, Theatre & Dance. A passionate arts advocate, he is the longest-serving member f the National Council on the Arts, advising five U.S. presidents.

Aaron is a best-selling author and poetjournalist, a term he coined to describe "writing that evokes emotional connection to news-related subjects using sound, rhythm, and creative illustration." His works include The Poetjournalist, They Said I Wasn't Really Black, two memoirs, a children's book, a sci-fi novel, and The Entrepreneurial Artist. He currently serves as Poetjournalist-in-Residence for the City of Ann Arbor's Bicentennial, the Rodham Institute, Fisher Foundation, and others.

A celebrated spoken-word artist, Aaron has performed at Carnegie Hall, Harvard University, NJPAC, and more, earning acclaim as "powerful," "stirring," and "a tour de force." His Emmy-winning film An American Prophecy and digital art project Fractured History have received critical praise.

Founder of the Sphinx Organization, Aaron has raised over $50 million in support of diversity in the arts. He also hosts the nationally-broadcast Arts Engines show with over 100,000 weekly viewers and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Honors include the National Governors Association Distinguished Service Award, BET's History Makers Award, and Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Lifetime Achievement Award.

A sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader, Aaron lectures widely on entrepreneurship, innovation, and equity in the arts. He has served on boards for the Knight Foundation, Motown Museum, League of American Orchestras, and more.

Outside the arts, Aaron is a passionate kayaker, poker enthusiast, and film buff who watches over 150 movies a year. He is married to Afa Sadykhly Dworkin and has two sons. Join his creative community at Patreon.com/Poetjournalist.