Lourdes Lopez Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lourdes Lopez Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences Class of 2026
Miami, FL — April 24, 2026 — Lourdes Lopez—renowned former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, visionary artistic leader, and Trustee of the Ford Foundation—has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the nation’s most prestigious honorary societies. The distinction places Lopez among an extraordinary cohort that includes hundreds of Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners, as well as recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Founded in 1780 by John Adams, John Hancock, and 60 other early American scholars, the Academy convenes leaders and experts in arts and sciences to address important contemporary issues informing national and global policy in service of the public good. In the announcement of 2026 awardees, Academy President Laurie Patton said, “We celebrate the achievement of each new member and the collective breadth and depth of their excellence—this is a fitting commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The founding of the nation and the Academy are rooted in the inextricable links between a vibrant democracy, the free pursuit of knowledge, and the expansion of the public good”.
Born in Cuba and arriving in the United States as a refugee, Lopez’s life and career embody the transformative power of the arts. At age eleven, she received a full scholarship to the School of American Ballet—that would change the trajectory of her life. Soon after, she was personally selected by George Balanchine to join New York City Ballet. Lopez became the first Latina Principal Dancer in the company’s history, performing leading roles under the mentorship of both George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.
Following her celebrated performing career, Lopez emerged as a significant force in the arts as an Executive and Artistic Director, championing innovation, access, and artistic excellence—most notably through her achievements as Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet. Her leadership extended beyond the stage when she became the first artist elected to the Board of Trustees of the Ford Foundation, where she has advocated for the central role of the arts in society.
In her acceptance, Lopez reflected on the profound personal and societal significance of this honor: “I often think of my journey from a young Cuban refugee in a ballet class in a strip mall in Miami as a widening spiral, circling the same center yet always reaching outward. This election to the Academy is another turn of that spiral… impelling me forward. The arts are not separate from the great work of science, scholarship, and public life—they are essential to it. I applaud the Academy for this recognition and the notable achievement of the 2026 class in diverse areas of math and the sciences, humanities, and the arts, leadership, policy, and communication.”
Lopez’s election highlights her lifelong commitment to artistic excellence, cultural leadership, and expanding access to the arts as a universal language that transcends borders. “I accept this election with a grateful heart and a clear sense of what this honor asks of me,” Lopez stated, reaffirming her commitment to continue sharing “the beauty and grace that takes place when the arts are given a place in one’s life”.
Lopez will be formally inducted during the Academy’s Induction Weekend in October 2026, joining the distinguished Class of 2026.
About Lourdes Lopez
Lourdes Lopez is a former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Morphoses and former Artistic Director of Miami City Ballet. She is a cultural leader whose career spans performance, arts leadership, and philanthropy, with a focus on advancing the arts as a vital force in society.
Media Contact:
https://www.lourdeslopezarts.com/contact
One of the Academy’s longest-standing traditions is members writing letters of acceptance upon election to membership. Lopez’s acceptance letter is found below and will soon be joining the walls of the Academy’s headquarters in Cambridge.
