The Fulbright Association is pleased to announce the winner of the 2018 Selma Jeanne Cohen Dance Lecture Award is Jonathan Hollander. The Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund for International Scholarship on Dance recognizes the achievements of scholars and artists within the field of dance. As a leading choreographer, a social activist, and an innovative professional providing opportunities to the underprivileged, Mr. Hollander’s work in using dance as a vehicle of intercultural exchange, human connection, and international opportunity has exemplified the mission of Fulbright.

Mr. Hollander is the President and Founder of Battery Dance, a non-profit organization that seeks to connect the world through dance. Battery Dance performs and teaches around the globe, with an emphasis on disadvantaged individuals or those from areas of conflict. Founded in New York City in 1976 under the mission of enhancing the availability of the creative arts for everyone, Battery Dance has participated in international theaters and festivals and performed in over 70 countries. Using dance as a tool of cultural diplomacy, Battery Dance provides international training, classes, collaborations with local artists, and mentorship opportunities abroad. On a local level, Battery Dance works with New York City’s public schools, from the elementary to high school level, to provide support and programming for dance education. Mr. Hollander additionally founded the Battery Dance Festival, New York City’s longest-running dance festival.

As a Fulbright Specialist to Malaysia and a Fulbright lecturer on dance in India, Mr. Hollander has maintained ties to the pursuit of international exchange and education. He has established arts education residencies at public schools in New York City. He founded Dancing to Connect, an innovative methodology of teaching choreography to young people that is now used in 60 countries. His work has been recognized through a number of awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Order of Merit from the Federal Government of Germany. He has also served abroad as an Arts Envoy through the State Department.

Mr. Hollander will present at the Fulbright Association’s 41st Annual Conference, “Un Mundo, Muchas Voces” in Puebla, Mexico on November 2, 2018.

The Selma Jeanne Cohen Fund for International Scholarship on Dance honors the pioneering contributions of dance historian Selma Jeanne Cohen. The Fulbright Association created the fund with a generous gift from Dr. Cohen in 2000 to recognize the importance of her Fulbright exchange experience in Russia and to perpetuate her interests in dance as an international enterprise. All Cohen Lectures are presented at the Fulbright Association Annual Conference.

To read more about past awardees, please click here.