A groundbreaking new institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black art history and visual culture has officially opened its doors. The Black Artists Archive announced its launch today, along with the receipt of $125,000 in seed funding from The Terra Foundation for American Art.
The funding will be used to preserve and archive The Black Canon, a significant collection of works amassed by collector James E. Wheeler. With this initiative, the Black Artists Archive aims to safeguard these critical pieces of Black artistic and cultural heritage for future generations.
The funding will specifically support the preservation and archiving of The Black Canon, a pivotal collection of works amassed by renowned collector James E. Wheeler. This initiative aims to ensure that the art, stories, and cultural legacies represented in The Black Canon are not only safeguarded but also shared with a global audience.
Dr. Kelli Morgan, Founding Executive Director and CEO of the Black Artists Archive emphasized that the organization’s mission is to create a space where the legacy of Black artists is not only recognized but actively preserved and shared with the world.
“The Black Canon is an integral part of that legacy, and we are committed to ensuring its accessibility for scholars, students, artists, and the public alike,” Morgan said.
The Black Artists Archive is launching programs to highlight Black artists and archiving traditions. Among these is the Black Curatorial Institute, which began in November 2024, providing critical resources and training for emerging Black curators. Another key initiative is Angles & Archives, a community dialogue series created in partnership with Someday Gallery & Bakehouse, fostering conversations around Black art and its preservation.
The organization also plans to host workshops, artist residencies, public lectures, and exhibitions, offering diverse audiences opportunities to engage deeply with Black art and culture. These programs are part of a larger mission to make the stories of Black artists, both historical and contemporary, more accessible and widely celebrated.
Beyond its public-facing initiatives, the Black Artists Archive is committed to building collaborative relationships with institutions, scholars, and artists to ensure the accurate and respectful representation of Black art history. Through these efforts, the Archive aims to challenge the systemic erasure of Black contributions to the art world and foster a more inclusive cultural narrative.
The preservation of The Black Canon marks the Archive’s first major undertaking. The collection is curated over decades by Wheeler and comprises a rich tapestry of artworks, documents, and artifacts that provide invaluable insights into Black art history. By archiving this collection, the institution hopes to provide a resource to inspire and inform future generations of artists, researchers, and enthusiasts.
As the Black Artists Archive begins its journey, it invites supporters, collaborators, and communities to join its mission. With ambitious goals and a growing slate of programs, the institution is poised to become a cornerstone for the study, appreciation, and preservation of Black art and culture worldwide.
For more information about the Black Artists Archive and its initiatives, visit https://www.blackartistsarchive.org.
About Post Author
Amber Ogden, a native of Detroit, is an experienced journalist with investigative reporting, feature writing, and multimedia storytelling skills. She covers various topics related to the Black community, from human interest stories to racial injustices to community happenings. Amber is currently a staff writer and can be reached via email at aogden@michronicle.com.
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