Culture Type | The Month in Black Art: Here’s What Happened in May 2025
International curator Koyo Kouoh died, longstanding Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden fired, artist and curator Evangeline J. Montgomery died, David C. Driskell Prize went to artist Alison Saar Artist and Curator Evangeline J. Montgomery (1930-2025). | Courtesy the artist, Photo by Erwin Thamm LIVES | May 1: Artist, curator, and arts administrator Evangeline...
Barnes Foundation Appointed Judia S. Jackson Head of Human Resources and Culture at Philadelphia Museum
Judia S. Jackson. | Courtesy Barnes Foundation IN PHILADELPHIA, PA., the Barnes Foundation named Judia S. Jackson to the role of deputy director for human resources and chief culture officer. Jackson recently served as chief people and culture officer at Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. The Barnes appointment was announced May 28. Jackson officially...
Alma Thomas Way: Washington D.C., Street Where Famous African American Artist Lived is Now Named in Her Honor
Charles Thomas Lewis, grand nephew of Alma Thomas, with Susan Talley, who established the Friends of Alma Thomas group more than a decade ago. They are holding the commemorative street sign DC Councilmember Christina Henderson presented to Lewis. “I think this is a wonderful recognition for her,” he said. “I am truly thankful for this.”...
Los Angeles Artist Alison Saar is 2025 Recipient of David C. Driskell Prize, For 20 Years Award Has Recognized ‘Field-Defining’ Contributions to African American Art
Alison Saar at Arion Press, San Francisco, Calif., 2024. | Courtesy of L.A. Louver, Venice, Calif., Photograph by Nicholas Lea Bruno TWENTY YEARS AGO, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Ga., established a groundbreaking prize named for David C. Driskell (1931-2020), a pivotal figure in American art and leading authority on African American...
Turner Prize 2025 Shortlist of Four British Artists Includes Nnena Kalu and Rene Matić
RENE MATIĆ, Installation view of “Untitled (No Place for Violence),” 2024, “AS OPPOSED TO THE TRUTH,” CCA Berlin (2024).| Photo: Diana Pfammatter/CCA Berlin A LARGE-SCALE FLAG by British artist Rene Matić (b. 1997) features the words “No Place” on one side and “For Violence” on the reverse. The flag and its seemingly simplified message...
Diallo Simon-Ponte is Joining Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky, as Inaugural Sam Gilliam Assistant Curator of Artist Programs
IN LOUISVILLE, KY, the Speed Art Museum is welcoming Diallo Simon-Ponte as the inaugural Sam Gilliam Assistant Curator of Artist Programs. A writer and curator, Simon-Ponte will lead the Speed Museum’s new Sam Gilliam Visiting Artist Program. Bringing artist engagement and exhibition management experience to the role, he officially starts in May. “I am honored...
Jack Shainman Gallery Now Represents the Estate of Faith Ringgold, ‘Artist Played Significant Role in Shaping Culture of American Art’
IN NEW YORK CITY, Jack Shainman Gallery announced its exclusive representation of the Estate of Faith Ringgold and the Anyone Can Fly Foundation. Faith Ringgold (1930-2024) was a profound and pivotal figure in the New York art world. Her art offered sharp commentary on America’s ills and her activism led to historic change and opportunities...
Culture Type: The Month in Black Art, Here’s What Happened in April 2025
Director of Smithsonian’s African American Museum stepped down, antiquities dealer Leonardo Patterson died, Estate of Faith Ringgold and Brazilian artist Dalton Paula join new galleries **THIS POST WILL BE UPDATED THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH** AWARDS & HONORS | April 2: Sheela Gowda received the 2025 Sam Gilliam Award. The Dia...
Culture Type: The Month in Black Art, Here’s What Happened in March 2025
Elizabeth Giorgis, scholar of Ethiopian art history died. Artists Mônica Ventura and Precious Okoyomon joined new galleries. Republic of Togo will present its first pavilion at Venice Biennale of Architecture Fred Eversley (1941-2025), pictured in 2022. | Photo by Timothy Schenck, Courtesy Maria Larsson TALKS & LECTURES | March 4: In Washington, D.C.,...
Culture Type: The Month in Black Art, Here’s What Happened in February 2025
Project aims to document legacy of Altadena in wake of LA wildfires, Lubaina Himid will represent UK at Venice Biennale, photography curator Oluremi C. Onabanjo won Vilcek Prize, Anne Collins Smith is chief curator at New Orleans Museum of Art, Sandra Jackson-Dumont stepping down at Lucas Museum, and more Rashid Johnson was honored at...
Lubaina Himid Will Represent UK at Venice Biennale in 2026, She Called the Commission a ‘Brilliant and Exciting Opportunity’
Lubaina Himid. | Photo © Adama Jalloh A key figure in the British Black Arts Movement, Lubaina Himid will be the third Black artist in a row to represent the UK at the Venice Biennale THE BRITISH COUNCIL announced Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid (b. 1954) will represent Great Britain at the 61st...
Anne Collins Smith Announced as New Chief Curator at New Orleans Museum of Art
Anne Collins Smith’s appointment is historic. She is the first Black person to head NOMA’s curatorial department THE NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART (NOMA) announced a new chief curator on Feb. 11. Anne Collins Smith has taken on the newly created role, leading the museum’s entire curatorial department. Collins is a local hire with...
Culture Type: The Month in Black Art, Here’s What Happened in January 2025
In January, artist and gallery founder Alonzo Davis died, Made in L.A. artists and USA Fellows were announced, Christina Kimeze and Martha Jackson Jarvis joined new galleries, Africa Center welcomed a new leader, discovery of rare William H. Dorsey painting was reported, and more MARIO JOYCE, “Fragmented Memory,” 2024 (soil, vintage collage, oil paint,...
Alisa Chiles Appointed Decorative Arts Curator at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Bringing Particular Expertise in the Areas of Art Nouveau and Art Deco
Alisa Chiles is the new Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Decorative Arts, 1890 to the Present at the Virginia Museum of the Fine Arts. | Photo by Sandra Sellars, © 2024 Virginia Museum of Fine Arts THE VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS (VMFA) in Richmond, Va., has built a prized collection of...
Acquisition: Martin Luther King Jr. Bust by Elizabeth Catlett is ‘Majestic and Commanding Portrait’ of Civil Rights Leader
THE FINE ARTS MUSEUMS of San Francisco marked the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday weekend with a new installation, bringing attention to iconic civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), and the uncertain times in which he became a national figure. “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” (1990), a bronze portrait bust by Elizabeth...
Moving On Up: 24 Museum Curators and Arts Leaders Who Took on New Appointments in Second Half of 2024
CULTURE TYPE reports on new appointments of Black curators and arts leaders to gauge institutional representation, with an emphasis on art museums. Museum leaders, curators, and educators shape the management and intellectual direction of institutions, determine the art visitors see and the programming they experience and, by extension, whether audiences of color feel welcome and...
Ryan N. Dennis Named Co-Director and Chief Curator of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Closely Watched Curator Will Lead Museum in Her Hometown
From left: Ryan N. Dennis. | Photo by Charles A. Smith; Melissa McDonnell Luján. | Photo by Fernanda Varela Rivera. Both Images Courtesy CAMH Ryan N. Dennis and Melissa McDonnell Luján appointed co-directors of Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, effective January 2025 NEW LEADERSHIP is coming to Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). Senior Curator...
Naomi Beckwith Appointed Artistic Director of Forthcoming Documenta in Kassel, Curator Called Opportunity to Lead International Exhibition ‘Honor of a Lifetime’
DOCUMENTA 16 will take place under the artistic direction of Naomi Beckwith. An American curator, scholar, and art historian, Beckwith is Deputy Director and Jennifer & David Stockman Chief Curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation in New York. Documenta is one of the most prominent art shows in the world, rivaled only...
Latest News in Black Art: Artist Lorraine O’Grady Has Died, Zoe Whitley is Departing Chisenhale Gallery, Family Seeks Return of Paintings From Louisiana Museums & More
Latest News in Black Art features updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Lorraine O’Grady. | Photo by Lelanie Foster, Courtesy the artist and Mariane Ibrahim gallery LIVES Conceptual Artist Lorraine O’Grady Has Died at 90 New York artist Lorraine O’Grady (1934-2024) died at her home on Nov. 13....
Latest News in Black Art: New Leader at McColl Center in North Carolina, Alvin Ailey Names Next Artistic Director, Laura Wheeler Waring Portrait Covers Antiques Magazine, Romare Bearden Documentary & More
Latest News in Black Art features updates and developments in the world of art and related culture Asa Jackson. | Courtesy McColl Center APPOINTMENTS Asa Jackson to Helm McColl Center for Artists in North Carolina The McColl Center in Charlotte, N.C., announced its next president and CEO. Asa Jackson will lead the art...
