Arts Leadership Award Program

Graham Lustig is the Artistic Director of the Oakland Ballet Company (OBC) which was founded in 1965. Graham has led the organization since 2010 and believes it is essential that the diversity of Oakland and Alameda County is reflected in all of its activities. Graham has created groundbreaking programs for the OBC including Dancing Moons Festival, America’s first AAPI artist showcase, Luna Mexicana – a Dia de los Muertos celebration, and Rainbow Dances – an LGBTQ showcase. These programs celebrate our diversity and challenge concepts of how a ballet-based dance organization can more authentically serve its community. Graham has choreographed over 90 original ballets and operas, and commissioned over 100 new dance works in a series of wide-ranging collaborations. He has coached and inspired a generation of new dance artists. Through his robust enrichment programs, young students have assured access to the arts at no cost.  An arts advocate, Graham is a founding member of the Artists Committee for Americans for the Arts and served as panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts Dance and Policy Panel. Throughout his career, Graham has redefined ballet as a dynamic and inclusive art form. Graham Lustig resides in Oakland.