Last Tuesday, ballet was trending on social media. More specifically, Misty Copeland’s story of becoming American Ballet Theatre’s first African-American female principal dancer was trending. Following the ABT announcement, the internet flooded with congratulations for Ms. Copeland from faithful and new fans alike. Perhaps most moving was how personal many of the well-wishes were, written as if being sent to a dear friend or family member.

I think that there is an important insight that we can draw from these deeply emotional responses. In the arts, relatability can be as significant as quality. Ms. Copeland has been open about sharing her story—her struggles, her hopes, and her dreams. She has published two books and been featured in multiple profiles. Through a canny partnership with Under Armour in a commercial that ended up going viral, both the dancer and athletic wear company reached new audiences and challenged perceptions of dancers. In various YouTube videos of her rehearsals and interviews, Ms. Copeland is very clear about the challenges of being a professional ballerina and often the only African-American onstage, but she is also straightforward about what she wants the viewers to take away. She wants to be a role model for anyone striving for their dreams. She talks about the people who she considered mentors even before she had the opportunity to meet them. You don’t have to have met me to share in my journey and for me to be a part of yours, she assures anyone who comes across one of her stories.

Which means that when audiences surge to her performances, they are coming not just to see ballet. They are there because they know her. The emotional bond between dancer and viewer has already been established and personalized. Knowing all of the struggle and determination that went into what can look like an effortless, though not necessarily perfect, performance doesn’t diminish the experience; it is amplified. Just as it is when we watch our own friends and family achieve what they have worked so hard to gain. 

As humans, we often look for someone to cheer on, someone who embodies and lives out the hopes and dreams we cannot always ourselves realize. Ms. Copeland is that person for many reasons, for many people. She draws crowds not just for her artistry but because they know the human at its heart. The authentic rapport that she has built with her fans encourages them to step outside of their normal artistic inclinations to take a chance on experiences they might not otherwise seek.

In thinking about the arts in communities across America, I wonder, how well do our communities know us, trust us, and believe in us? Not just for the art we do, but for the change we wish to see.