Take action and make your voice heard with our museum this Black History Month. Join us in uplifting the humanity, innovation and vision of African American artists. Throughout February, take a journey organized around five weekly focus areas that celebrate the Black people who have used art as their platform for social justice.

Social justice has historically developed visual and literary arts to capture the spirit and platforms of resistance, and to disseminate those messages to audiences outside of mainstream methods. 

Art as a platform for social justice was seeded in the soil of abolitionist treatise from Phillis Wheatley, tilled through the performances of Sweet Honey in the Rock and 1980s breakdancers, pruned by the commentary shears of James Baldwin, watered in the paintings and photographs of Elizabeth Catlett and Gordon Parks, and harvested within the futuristic tales of Octavia Butler. 

“The National Museum of African American History and Culture celebrates Black achievement year-round, but we look forward to taking time in February to explore art as a platform for understanding history, struggle, social justice, and triumph,” said Kevin Young, NMAAHC’s Andrew W. Mellon Director. “In doing that, we will put the spotlight on paintings, sculpture, photographs and fiber works that were made to mobilize people to create a better world by harnessing the power of protest, defiance and resilience.” 


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Pinback button for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Pinback button for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of T. Rasul Murray

Join @NMAAHC in celebrating @ASALH 2024’s official #BlackHistoryMonth theme, African Americans and the Arts. Learn more: https://nmaahc.si.edu/Black-History-Month-2024


 

Take action with @NMAAHC this #BlackHistoryMonth and explore the history of African Americans and the arts with five weekly sub-themes – literature and poetry, performing arts, visual arts, music and digital arts: https://nmaahc.si.edu/Black-History-Month-2024


 

Join @NMAAHC this month to celebrate @ASALH’s #BlackHistoryMonth theme of African Americans and the Arts, with a focus on art as a platform for social justice. https://nmaahc.si.edu/Black-History-Month-2024

 

 

Explore History with Constellations

Reveal themes related to the African American artistic experience across time and genre from our Searchable Museum. 

Join Our Programs

I Loves You, Porgy / Mississippi Goddam / Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood / I Put A Spell On You
Events, Programs & Tours

Celebrating the Brilliance of Black Voices in the Arts

Honor Black artists who used their crafts to uplift the race, speak truth to power and inspire a nation.

Learn More about Celebrating the Brilliance of Black Voices in the Arts

Discover Educational Resources

Playbill for A Raisin in the Sun
For Educators & Parents

Learning Journeys for the Classroom, Home and Museum Visits

Join us in exploring stories of African Americans in the Arts throughout February with a special focus on art as a platform for social justice.

Start Your Journey! about Learning Journeys for the Classroom, Home and Museum Visits

Explore More

As you celebrate Black History Month  this year, the museum offers additional resources to help you understand the intersection of art and activism.  

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