Detroit, MI – The Black Artists Archive, a new institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating the richness of Black art history and visual culture, is proud to announce its official launch today. The institution has received initial seed funding of $125,000 from The Terra Foundation for American Art.
The initial funding will specifically go toward the preservation and archiving of portions of The Black Canon, a critical archive of works collected by James E. Wheeler. Through this funding, the Black Artists Archive aims to ensure that the art, narratives, and cultural legacies of The Black Canon are not only safeguarded but celebrated and shared with future generations.
“Our mission is simple: 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,” said Dr. Kelli Morgan, Founding Executive Director and CEO of the Black Artists Archive.
The Black Artists Archive is launching a series of programs to highlight Black artists and archiving traditions. These include the Black Curatorial Institute (launched November 2024), Angles & Archives, a community dialogue series in partnership with Someday Gallery & Bakehouse, and various workshops, residencies, lectures, and exhibitions to engage diverse audiences with Black art and culture.
In addition to these public-facing programs, the Black Artists Archives will work closely with institutions, scholars, and artists to ensure that the stories of Black artists—both past and present—are told with depth, accuracy, and reverence.
About Black Artists Archive
The Black Artists Archive is a new, pioneering institution focused on the preservation, exhibition, and celebration of Black art history and visual culture. With a commitment to providing an inclusive and dynamic space for making, exhibiting, and learning about art, the institution aims to foster a greater understanding of the role Black art has played—and continues to play—in shaping global visual culture.
About The Terra Foundation
The Terra Foundation for American Art, established in 1978 and having offices in Chicago and Paris, supports organizations and individuals locally and globally with the aim of fostering intercultural dialogues and encouraging transformative practices that expand narratives of American art, through the foundation’s grant program, collection, and initiatives.
For Media Inquiries:
Malikah A. ShabazzVice President of Media RelationsBlack Artists Archive
313-263-6400malikah@blackartistsarchive.orghttps://www.blackartistsarchive.org
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