José Miguel Ortiz is an Afro-Dominican multimedia artist and art educator known for his expertise in painting, art history, curating, fine art, and public art. His artistic endeavors often involve layering symbols and myths to foster connections among diverse peoples and cultures. Notably, he was chosen by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Arts & Design permanent art program, to create artwork for the 183rd Street and Jerome Avenue subway station in the Bronx.

In collaboration with choreographer Sita Frederick, Ortiz co-founded Areytos Performance Works, a multi-disciplinary performance company dedicated to presenting contemporary dance-theater rooted in Caribbean traditions and social justice principles. With over 20 years of experience in youth development, Ortiz has served as an art educator and program manager for various esteemed organizations, including the Henry Street Settlement, The Bronx Museum, The Children's Art Carnival, and the Anyone Can Fly Foundation.

His longest tenure was with the Art Education Program at the Joan Mitchell Foundation, where he initially served as an artist teacher and later expanded his role to program coordinator of The Student Opportunities and Support Program. He also served as program manager for Young Artist Initiatives, where he created The Early Art Practitioners Residency in New York City and New Orleans, a program aimed at offering mentorship and career development opportunities to emerging artists.

In his most recent role, Ortiz served as the program director at Groundswell, a New York City-based mural arts organization focused on using art as a catalyst for social change. He holds a B.F.A. in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.