New Archive for Black Art Officially Launches, Secures Initial Seed Funding
Summary
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 collection 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. 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. 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 playedand continues to playin shaping global visual culture.About The Terra FoundationThe 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 foundations grant program, collection, and initiatives.