Andreas C. Dracopoulos and Misty Copeland spoke with Greek-American journalist Markos Papadatos about getting recognized at the Lincoln Center 2026 Summer GALA.
Andreas C. Dracopoulos
Andreas C. Dracopoulos is the Co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He has been a leading proponent of the Lincoln Center initiatives to invite more New Yorkers into the power of the arts through artistic and community-focused activations of outdoor spaces, including #SummerForTheCity and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Lincoln Center West Initiative.
He is the great-nephew of the late Stavros Niarchos, and Dracopoulos shared that this year marks a special anniversary for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. “This year, we are celebrating our 30th anniversary with the foundation,” he said.
On his Lincoln Center recognition, Dracopoulos stated, ““It’s a true honor for us to be here. We are very happy for the collaboration, and we are very happy to be able to contribute to this amazing institution, and for the re-opening of all the sides. It’s going to be programmatic and architecturally a great program.”
He opened up about his Greek heritage. “I am from Athens, Greece… that is where I was born and raised, and I graduated from Athens College,” he said.
Regarding the importance of this cause, he remarked, “This cause is important because it’s about arts and culture… they are one of the few things that keep us human, so it is an amazing opportunity to help support the arts.”
Dracopoulos praised Misty Copeland for her recognition. “Misty is the real hero… she is the real star of the performing arts, and she is one of the people that makes this institution as great as it is, so it’s a true honor,” he said.
On the Greek-American community in the United States, he stated, “It’s complicated… but it’s all good… everybody is trying their best.”
Dracopoulos expressed, “This event is not about me. It’s about Lincoln Center and what Lincoln Center is doing, as well as what Lincoln Center means to the world of arts and culture.”
“It’s all about Lincoln Center and all the people who work here and all the amazing programming that is available for the people to really visit and appreciate,” he added.
Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland was awarded the Inaugural Lincoln Center Luminary Award, which was established to recognize leading artists who demonstrate both extraordinary talent on stage and a profound civic vision.
Misty is one of the world’s most celebrated dancers, a New York Times best-selling author, a Lincoln Center Trustee and member of our West Initiative committee, and a steadfast advocate for arts access through The Misty Copeland Foundation.
On being recognized, Copeland exclaimed, “It’s such an exciting time to be on the campus at Lincoln Center. To be a part of an institution that has made strides and so many huge shifts and changes to really embrace all the boroughs and the communities, especially behind us on Amsterdam and beyond.”
“It is really an honor to be a Black woman and serve on the Board of Trustees at Lincoln Center, and to be receiving this honor,” she acknowledged.
On being recognized alongside Andreas C. Dracopoulos, Copeland stated, “It is truly an honor to share this with Andreas Dracopoulos. It is very humbling!”
The GALA marked the beginning of Lincoln Center’s summer season and sets the stage for the Summer for the City festival, which opens on June 10 and has attracted more than 1.6 million visitors since its launch in 2022.
