On Thursday, Oct. 21, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation unveiled in a virtual press event the 2021 class of Doris Duke Artists, each receiving awards of $275,000 intended as an investment in their artistic potential and a celebration of their ongoing contributions to the fields of contemporary dance, jazz and theater.
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation President Sam Gill opened the press conference with thoughts about the importance of championing and supporting artists who push boundaries and reimagine the future, particularly during this time of profound change and challenge for the performing arts sector as a whole. Following his remarks, Program Director for the Arts Maurine Knighton announced and introduced each of the seven recipients of Doris Duke Artist Awards -- Lileana Blain-Cruz, Teo Castellanos, Kris Davis, Dormeshia, Cynthia Oliver, Danilo Pérez and Wayne Shorter -- and facilitated a live Q&A session with questions submitted by journalists.
Watch the video above or on the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's YouTube channel and hear from the Doris Duke Artists in their own voices. To learn more about the Doris Duke Artist Awards and the 2021 Doris Duke Artists, please visit www.dorisdukeartistawards.org.