IRVING, TX.- An exhibition showcasing the daring accomplishments of African Americans and other minorities within the world of professional dance premiered January 18 at the Irving Arts Center. Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts explores the social and artistic impact of the renowned ballet company and school, highlighting its efforts—and those of its dancers—to overcome social prejudices while paving the way for future generations of world class dancers.

International Arts & Artists, a nonprofit arts service organization in Washington, D.C., partnered with Dance Theatre of Harlem, California African American Museum, and The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to tour Dance Theatre of Harlem. Created to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the dance company, the exhibition was co-curated by Judy Tyrus—exhibition curator and archivist at Dance Theatre Harlem, and Adjunct Professor of Dance at Marymount Manhattan College in New York—and Barbara Cohen-Stratyner, the Judy R. and Alfred A. Rosenberg Curator of Exhibitions at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Dance Theatre of Harlem will be on display at the Irving Arts Center in Texas through March 16; in April, it will travel to the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its tour runs through 2015, with additional hosting venues to be determined.

The exhibition includes more than 250 objects, featuring costumes, historical photographs, set pieces and documentary video excerpts from four dramatically-staged ballets iconic to the company: A Streetcar Named Desire, Creole Giselle, Dougla and Firebird. Other highlights include: original tour programs, letters from choreographers and dignitaries, magazine articles, design bibles, and more than 20 original tour posters from various international tours and Dance Theatre of Harlem’s first performance in New York City at the Guggenheim Museum. The exhibition also contains a large, one-of-a-kind quilt with embroidered images of signature Dance Theatre of Harlem ballets, and an overview of the founder—Arthur Mitchell— and his career accomplishments.

Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) is about using the art form of classical ballet to change people’s lives. Through performances by the internationally acclaimed company, training in their world-class school, and participation in their multi-faceted arts education program, Dance Theatre of Harlem has made a difference in the world for 43 years.

As Dance Theatre of Harlem traverses its fifth decade, they remain committed to excellence and are dedicated to reaching new audiences with a message of self-reliance, self-expression and individual responsibility through the re-launch of the Dance Theatre of Harlem Company.

Now under the leadership of a second generation of artists inspired by Arthur Mitchell’s vision, founding member and former prima ballerina, Virginia Johnson, acts as artistic director for DTH; and the former school director and choreographer, Laveen Naidu, is acting executive director.

The California African American Museum (CAAM) researches, collects, preserves and interprets for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans. Chartered by the California State Legislature in 1977, CAAM is a state supported institution and a partner with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Friends, the Foundation of the California African American Museum. In addition to its permanent collection of over 3,000 objects of art, artifacts and historical documents, CAAM also houses a research library containing more than 20,000 volumes, employs and trains high school students through its Young Docents program, and hosts in-house curated exhibitions and traveling exhibitions on a regular basis. The museum also tours CAAM exhibitions throughout California and the nation.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is the world's largest archival and circulating collection in music, dance, theater and recorded sound. The Library welcomes over 300,000 visitors—performing arts professionals, students, and fans—each year to its Lincoln Center facility. It houses the collections, over 200 public programs and screenings, and a robust exhibition schedule. The Performing Arts Museum exhibitions have been seen in Asia, Europe, and across North America.

International Arts & Artists in Washington, DC, is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to increasing cross-cultural understanding and exposure to the arts internationally through exhibitions, programs and services to artists, arts institutions and the public. Visit www.artsandartists.org.