Aaron P. Dworkin
Aaron P. Dworkin is an educator, multi-media performing artist, author, social entrepreneur, and artist-citizen. He served as dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance (SMTD) and is currently a tenured full professor of arts leadership and entrepreneurship at SMTD as well as serving as a Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Aaron also holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in violin performance from the University of Michigan. He is the recipient of a MacArthur Grant and was President Obama's first appointment to the National Council on the Arts.
Aaron is a successful social entrepreneur having founded The Sphinx Organization, a nationwide social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the arts. The organization is focused on increasing representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music and recognizing excellence.
He has written a diverse array of books, including The Entrepreneurial Artist: Lessons from Highly Successful Creatives; a science-fiction novel, Ethos: Rise of Malcolm; as well as his memoir, Uncommon Rhythm: A Black, White, Jewish, Jehovah’s Witness, Irish Catholic Adoptee’s Journey to Leadership; and a poetry collection, They Said I Wasn’t Really Black. He is also a spoken-word performing artist and has had visual digital art exhibited at museums and galleries. As a filmmaker, he has produced and directed films including "An American Prophecy" and "Deliberation". As an artist curator, he has served as a juror for some of the most prestigious international competitions including the Menuhin Competition, London Music Masters Competition, Stulberg International Violin Competition and the Sphinx Competition.
Aaron is a member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs) and has served on the boards for numerous influential arts organizations including the Knight Foundation, National Association of Performing Arts Professionals, Independent Sector, League of American Orchestras, Ann Arbor Foundation, Michigan Theater and Chamber Music America. He has raised over $50 million for philanthropic causes as part of his dedication to arts, diversity, and their role in society.