ACC is deeply saddened by the recent passing of longtime American Dance Festival (ADF) Director and modern dance pioneer, Charles Reinhart (ACC 1988) on July 12, 2025, at the age of 94. From 1968-2001, Reinhart led ADF and was an integral player in shaping the field of modern dance through his support of choreographers, cultural exchange, and arts advocacy.  

In addition to his work with ADF, Reinhart was a member of the Board of the Theatre Development Fund (TDF) and held leadership roles with the National Endowment for the Arts, the Kennedy Center, Jacob's Pillow, and the Asia Society.  He also founded 4A, a nonprofit whose aim is to democratize, catalyze, and prioritize arts and culture in America. His founding principal sought to establish “a dedicated, member-based movement working directly on behalf of artists and audiences to elevate the role and regard of the arts and culture in our country, and ensure they receive equitable public investment and representation at the state, local, and federal levels”. 

Reinhart’s original ACC grant in 1988 brought him to India to aid in the development of a modern dance program at the Guangdong Dance Academy. After this, he continued a long and meaningful relationship with ACC and our fellowship opportunities through ADF. From 1995-2011—and with Reinhart’s guidance—ADF earned 10 ACC grants, bringing dance practitioners from Mainland China, Indonesia, and Japan to the U.S. and expanding ADF’s reach into Asia, creating a lasting artistic bridge between countries. 

We are proud and grateful to have supported Reinhart and his many artistic and cultural exchange initiatives over the decades. He will be deeply missed, and we extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. 

To learn more about Reinhart’s life, click here. To learn more about Reinhart and ADF’s cultural exchange work with China, click here.  

Image from the American Dance Festival Archives: Charles Reinhart (center) with Ruby Shang (right) and students in the Guangdong Modern Dance Experimental Program at the Guangdong Dance Academy in 1988.