Joan Lipkin

Arts & Social Justice

Internationally recognized as a groundbreaking theatre artist and social activist, Joan Lipkin uses performance and civic engagement, creating events and dialogues about the most pressing issues of our time. She has worked with diverse populations including cancer survivors, people in recovery, LGBTQ youth, adults, and their families, communities of faith, women who have been sexually trafficked, adults with dementia, and inner city youth.

She also founded numerous projects such as the DisAbility Project, Playback Now St. Louis, We Immigrants, Climate Change Theatre Action St. Louis, AC/DC Series, and Dance The Vote.

Joan dedicates this award to the memory of her mother, Evelyn Appell Lipkin, her first role model for volunteering.