Poetjournalist
A 2005 MacArthur Fellow, Aaron Dworkin is a Poetjournalist, a term he originated and defines as "the research, creation, and distribution of writing that evokes an emotional connection to news-related subjects or other relevant ideas utilizing elements of sound, meter, rhythm and creative illustration."
The Poetjournalist (album)
This unique recording of poetry captures the tapestry that comprises the mosaic of our diverse society through the lens of MacArthur Fellow, author, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur Aaron Dworkin. This collection explores six overarching pillars: African-American History, The Arts, The Power of Women, Identity, Mental Health, and Childhood through the unique prism of Poetjournalism, a term originated by Aaron, in which a news story or other experience is expressed in poetic form, incorporating elements of emotion, opinion, and creative illustration.
Born to a Black Jehovah’s Witness father and White Irish Catholic mother and immediately being given up for adoption to a White Jewish couple who already had a birth son provided a backdrop to humanity steeped in the exploration of identity and connection. While some of the poems in this collection are autobiographical, the majority were developed through Aaron’s role as Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Rodham Institute, Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Ovation TV, Complexions Contemporary Dance Company, Shar Music and the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.
As a violinist in addition to spoken word artist, Aaron utilizes ingredients of rhythm, alliteration, and asymmetric rhyme in his work as he conjures vivid imagery connecting the reader to both familiar and foreign encounters and memories. Combined, the poems represent a creative commentary and introspection into our world and human interactions.
The Poetjournalist (book)
This unique collection of poetry captures the tapestry that comprises the mosaic of our diverse society through the lens of MacArthur Fellow, author, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur Aaron Dworkin. This collection explores four overarching pillars: Personal Identity, The Arts, The Black Experience, and Inequality through the unique prism of Poetjournalism, a term originated by Aaron, in which a news story or other experience is expressed in poetic form, incorporating elements of emotion, opinion, and creative illustration.
Born to a Black Jehovah’s Witness father and White Irish Catholic mother and immediately being given up for adoption to a White Jewish couple who already had a birth son provided a backdrop to humanity steeped in the exploration of identity and connection. While some of the poems in this collection are autobiographical, the majority were developed through Aaron’s role as Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Rodham Institute, Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, Ovation TV, Shar Music and the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.
As a violinist in addition to spoken word artist, Aaron utilizes ingredients of rhythm, alliteration, and asymmetric rhyme in his work as he conjures vivid imagery connecting the reader to both familiar and foreign encounters and memories. Combined, the poems represent a creative commentary and introspection into our world and human interactions.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence for City of Ann Arbor Bicentennial
Aaron Dworkin serves as the Poetjournalist of Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial throughout 2024, the 200th anniversary of the city’s founding as part of pioneer western expansion. Engaged by the Michigan Theater Foundation, poetjournalist Dworkin will create six poetry compositions which reflect the history, triumphs, challenges and journeys of the people and place of this acclaimed college town. As Ann Arbor's Bicentennial Celebration approaches, we eagerly anticipate the enlightening, challenging, and emotive poetry of Aaron P. Dworkin to bring Ann Arbor’s history into perspective. Through his artistry and insights, he will shed light on the rich tapestry of Ann Arbor's past, present, and future. Join us in celebrating this extraordinary individual as he captures the essence of our community through the beauty of words.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of Complexions Contemporary Ballet
In an exciting development for the world of contemporary ballet, Aaron Dworkin has joined Complexions as the first Poetjournalist-in-Residence for a major ballet company. Complexions Contemporary Ballet was founded in 1994 by Master Choreographer Dwight Rhoden and the legendary Desmond Richardson with a singular approach to reinventing dance through a groundbreaking mix of methods, styles and cultures. Today, Complexions represents one of the most recognized, diverse, inclusive and respected performing arts brands in the World. Having presented an entirely new and exciting vision of human movement on 5-continents, over 20-countries, to over 20-million television viewers and to well over 300,000 people in live audiences, Complexions is poised to continue its mission to bring unity to the world one dance at a time.
The company’s foremost innovation is that dance should be about removing boundaries, not reinforcing them. Whether it be the limiting traditions of a single style, period, venue, or culture, Complexions transcends them all, creating an open, continually evolving form of dance that reflects the movement of our world—and all its constituent cultures—as an interrelated whole.
Together, Rhoden and Richardson have created in Complexions an institution that embodies its historical moment, a sanctuary where those passionate about dance can celebrate its past while simultaneously building its future. In the 27 years since its inception, the company has born witness to a world that is becoming more fluid, more changeable, and more culturally interconnected than ever before—in other words, a world that is becoming more and more like Complexions itself.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of Grantmakers in the Arts
Grantmakers in the Arts is the only national association of both public and private arts and culture funders in the US, including independent and family foundations, public agencies, community foundations, corporate philanthropies, nonprofit regrantors, and national service organizations – funders of all shapes and sizes across the US and into Canada.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is one of the leading African American history museums in the country and opens minds and changes lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history and culture.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
The Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation’s core philosophy is grounded in the beliefs of our founders and the family’s shared Jewish values that life’s purpose is found in service to others. Working with over $300 million in assets, the mission of the Foundation is to enrich humanity by strengthening and empowering children and families in need.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Rodham Institute at George Washington University
The Rodham Institute was established in 2013 in honor of the late Mrs. Dorothy Rodham (mother of Hillary Rodham Clinton) who believed passionately in the capacity for education to achieve social change. The Institute seeks to apply the transformative power of education to achieve health equity in Washington, D.C.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of Shar Music
Shar Music is the recognized market leader in North America as a supplier of instruments, bows, sheet music, cases, strings, and accessories. Our community encompasses all of the United States and Canada. Advanced players and professional musicians alike have come to depend upon Shar Music's unique offerings. We are also proud to be one of the largest suppliers in the United States of the Suzuki Method™ materials for young players. At Shar Music, we bear the mission of create access to music for all levels of musicians. We thrive to invent ideal products for musicians, to maintain repairs of the highest quality, provide outstanding knowledge and customer service, and create the easiest, most accessible shopping experience for all.
Poetjournalist-in-Residence of the Ovation TV Network
As the leading arts cable network available to over 50 million subscribers, OVATION TV has an unparalleled commitment to the arts, culture, and captivating entertainment. Showcasing a lineup of critically acclaimed premium dramas, specials, documentaries, and iconic films, OVATION TV salutes innovative storytelling with popular programming that includes Inside the Actors Studio, Murdoch Mysteries, Riviera, Frankie Drake Mysteries, Arts Engines, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, The Fall, Midsomer Murders, The Art Of, Celebrity Conversations, and The Sound of New York.
Other Spoken Word Projects
Other Spoken Word Projects
The American Rhapsody Project
Aaron P. Dworkin is an innovative, cutting-edge spoken word and multimedia performer and poetjournalist. He is also a classically trained violinist, an author, social entrepreneur and an avid youth education advocate, having received wide recognition for the impact of his vision and leadership.
As a poetjournalist and spoken word artist, Aaron Dworkin has been featured with the Minnesota Orchestra and at the University of Michigan, Harvard University, Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History, and beyond. The American Rhapsody brings his unique background and artistry to performing arts series and symphonies worldwide. This spoken word multimedia orchestral work tells the story of our nation through the prism of the life and words of America’s first President, George Washington. The work is set to Samuel Coleridge Taylor’s Symphonic Variations on an African Air.
The American Rhapsody is a tribute to the ideals of courage, freedom and commitment while also serving as a story of vulnerability and the progression of humanity through the great injustices which plague our history. The victories and agonies of our past not only resonate with but inform our present as our nation seeks to find a pathway toward a more unified future. This work evokes a sense of patriotic purpose while depicting the human frailty that all too often renders our valor imperfect.
