Cebuano named artist-in-residence at New York’s Lincoln Center

Clint Ramos / Photo from Portraits by Ernest Gatpandan

NEW YORK — Filipino American Clint Ramos, an internationally celebrated creative director, designer and producer, has been appointed as the artist-in-residence at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA), effective Feb. 24. This esteemed position highlights a commitment to fostering artistic innovation in New York City.

“Being named Artist-in-Residence at Lincoln Center is both an honor and a responsibility,” Ramos, who was lead producer of Broadway’s Here Lies Love, told Inquirer.net USA. 

“It’s a moment of deep gratitude—an acknowledgment of my work in design and creative production over the decades. It also presents a challenge to keep pushing forward. This role provides an opportunity to engage with a broader community and create spaces where artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines can intersect. Lincoln Center has long been a beacon of artistic excellence, continually evolving to embrace new voices and perspectives. My goal is to contribute to that evolution by fostering work that is expansive, inclusive and globally attuned.”

Established in 2022, Lincoln Center’s Artist-in-Residence program supports artists throughout their careers, extending beyond mere presentation of their work.

This groundbreaking residency offers foundational support and creative space, allowing artists to curate distinct series and projects while pushing the boundaries of their practices.

Artists-in-Residence at LCPA receive the same benefits as administrative staff, including employer-subsidized health insurance—a rarity for many individual working artists.

Lincoln Center / Photo by LCPA

During his residency, Ramos will lead several initiatives, including the curation of the American Songbook for its 2026 edition, LCPA’s acclaimed series celebrating American popular music across genres and lived experiences.

“The American Songbook is a rich and dynamic tradition, and for 2026, I aim to highlight voices that expand the definition of what ‘American music’ sounds like today,” Ramos explained. 

“The landscape of American storytelling is shifting—it’s multilingual, multiethnic and deeply influenced by global diasporas. I want to feature artists whose work bridges cultures, whether through jazz, folk traditions, or contemporary songwriting that challenges genre. Additionally, I’m interested in exploring how artists articulate the idea of ‘home’ through music and performance.”

lint Ramos / Photo from Portraits by Ernest Gatpandan

Ramos will also serve as the costume designer for the Metropolitan Opera’s upcoming production of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde in 2026, featuring soprano Lise Davidsen and directed by Yuval Sharon.

“With a monumental piece like Tristan und Isolde, my approach balances respect for tradition with a fresh perspective and a deep interrogation of the authors’ original ideas,” Ramos noted. 

“The story is timeless, but each production has its unique language. I start with Wagner’s dense and immersive score, which is both emotive and intellectual. I want the costumes to feel like an extension of that. I also consider the psychology of the characters: What emotional states are being expressed, and how do we manifest those through materiality, timing and scale? Collaboration is key—working closely with director Yuval Sharon, designer Es Devlin, and the entire creative team to create a cohesive world that supports the storytelling.”

In addition, Ramos will collaborate with the Library for the Performing Arts to bring the Springboard for Design program—an initiative mentoring high school students from underrepresented communities interested in American theater design—to the new Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab.

“I’m incredibly passionate about the Springboard for Design because mentorship is crucial in the performing arts,” Ramos said. 

“This initiative provides emerging designers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, access to classes led by established stars in theater design. Partnering with the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts allows us to engage with an incredible collection of historical design work, helping young artists learn how to interact with it. I want to demystify that process and create new pathways for fresh voices in the field.”

In addition to these initiatives, Ramos will develop a new public art and theater piece premiering in fall 2025 that brings together visual artists and global communities. He will act as the visual director for Summer for the City, transforming Lincoln Center’s outdoor spaces for the massive festival, a role he has held since 2022. Ramos will also host Create-athon events, welcoming young people and families for hands-on artistic explorations, beginning with the Building a Boat Create-athon on Sunday, April 6.

Among his many accomplishments, Ramos has designed over 200 theater, opera and dance productions worldwide. When asked about adapting his design approach across different mediums, he emphasized the importance of storytelling.

“Each medium has its own demands, but at its core, it’s always about storytelling. I see all these disciplines as interconnected, and I love finding where they overlap. Some of the most thrilling moments happen when theatricality, musicality and physicality intersect in unexpected ways.”

As the visual director for Lincoln Center’s Summer for the City, where he transforms the campus for over 300 events each summer, Ehrenkranz Chief Artistic Officer Shanta Thake praised Ramos as “a true visionary.”

“An important part of our role at Lincoln Center is to bring artists of all kinds into our everyday life and support what they need to create great artworks,” Thake said in a statement. “Clint’s creative work defies convention and definition. We are proud to invest in his work, catalyze new collaborations and welcome him home here at Lincoln Center.”

Ramos said he aims to foster collaboration among multidisciplinary artists during his residency.

“Collaboration isn’t just a nice idea—it’s essential,” he said. “Some of the most exciting work today blurs the lines between disciplines, and I want to champion that exchange. By creating spaces—physical and otherwise—where designers, visual artists, choreographers, composers and unconventional creators can experiment, we can challenge traditional silos and encourage new ways of thinking about performance, design, and art-making.”

Born and raised in Cebu, Ramos credits his Filipino heritage as a foundation for his work.

“My Filipino roots are woven into everything I do, whether consciously or subconsciously,” he said. “There’s an inherent theatricality in Filipino culture—the way we tell stories, celebrate and mourn. I often think about resilience and reinvention, themes deeply tied to the Filipino experience. My design work is drawn to craftsmanship, and I explore how textiles and materials hold history while returning to themes of diaspora and hybridity—how cultures intersect and evolve. This perspective allows me to approach design with global sensitivity while remaining rooted in my personal history.”

In addition to his extensive achievements, Ramos is the producing creative director for Encores! at New York City Center, where he has led projects including Billy Porter’s reimagining of “The Life and The Light In The Piazza” with Ruthie Ann Miles.

His recent stage designs include Broadway productions of “Maybe Happy Ending,” “Eureka Day,” KPOP, and “Slave Play.” He also served as the production designer for Isabel Sandoval’s “Lingua Franca” on Netflix and designed costumes for “RESPECT,” the Aretha Franklin biopic starring Jennifer Hudson.

Ramos is a recipient of a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for “Eclipsed,” making him the first person of color to win in that category. He has received multiple Tony nominations and numerous other accolades, including two OBIE Awards, three Lucille Lortel Awards and a Helen Hayes Award. He serves on the American Theatre Wing’s Advisory Board and co-founded Design Action, advocating for equitable representation in theater and film for people of color and immigrants.

Finally, when asked what advice he would give to emerging artists looking to make their mark in the performing arts, Ramos emphasized the importance of curiosity and resilience.

“Stay curious. Stay open. And don’t wait for permission. The industry can feel like it has rigid gatekeepers, but the most exciting work often happens at the edges—in spaces artists create for themselves. Find your collaborators, experiment and trust that your perspective has value. Remember that longevity in this field comes from adaptability—be willing to evolve, take risks and learn from every project, big or small.”