Lincoln Center Presents Inaugural Luminary Award to Misty Copeland at Summer Gala

Misty Copeland received the first Luminary Award from the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts at its Summer Gala on June 1, 2026. The presentation took place in the Wu Tsai Theater at David Geffen Hall after a red-carpet reception and dinner. Thelma Golden, Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem, presented the award.

Copeland spent 25 years with American Ballet Theatre and was the first female African-American dancer named a principal there. ” She also noted she is a Black woman serving on the Lincoln Center board of directors. Dr.

Silver also announced that Lincoln Center’s free or pay-what-you-want Summer for the City events began on June 10, 2026. ” Copeland told Forbes she is “not officially done with dance” after stepping away from American Ballet Theatre and expects to return to the stage. She added that she plans to attend many of the Summer for the City events.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is funding a $335 million initiative that will create the West Initiative gardens at Lincoln Center, scheduled to open in summer 2028.