Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a "Classically American" dance company, a leading arts education center and Dancing Through Barriers, a national and international education and community outreach program. Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries a solid commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts. Now in its fifth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.