Supporting African American Art and Artists: Museum Special Interest Groups (Addendum)

This is an update to a previous blog post from August 13, 2010, focusing on ways in which the general public can support and serve as advocates for African American art and artists within "mainstream art museums". Since that initial post, five additional museums have been identified that have friends/affiliate groups with an African American focus.

If you are one who who has a strong interest in works produced by African American artists, in preserving works by these artists, and continuing a legacy where these works exist for the general public, then you might be interested in supporting institutions and causes that are important to your beliefs and values. One way to get involved is to join an affiliate group or even serve as a volunteer at one of the institutions. As it relates to art organizations, even the smallest contributions are a vital part of the fundraising landscape, and assures that you are a part of a philanthropic effort to support museums, assuring that there is a continual documentation and appreciation of the fine arts. 

Membership and dues to these various affiliate groups are for one year and are in addition to base membership categories.

Augusta, Georgia

Morris Museum of Art

Friends of African American Art is an affiliate group of the Morris Museum of Art; its focus is to promote a "deeper understanding and appreciation of the contributions of African Americans to the culture of the South by providing social events and educational programs and involving members in the continuing growth of the museum's collection". 

Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore Museum of Art

Joshua Johnson Council (JJC) was founded in 1984 and is one of the oldest African American museum support groups in the country. "Named after an 18th-century African American portrait painter who lived and worked in Maryland, its mission is to forge meaningful connections between Baltimore's African American communities and the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA). JJC strengthens the BMA's presence in these communities by promoting and highlighting the achievements of African American artists."

Charlotte, North Carolina

Mint Museum

As one of the affiliate groups at the Mint Museum, The Romare Bearden Society has as one of its key goals "to support and grow The Mint Museum’s permanent collections of African American contemporary art through educational, outreach and social programs, with a particular focus on the works of African American, Charlotte-born artist Romare Bearden." Other goals are to enhance, to further engage, to honor, and to collaborate. See details at Join a Group.

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia Museum of Art 

Friends of African American Art and Culture (FAAAC) is a membership affiliate group at Columbia Museum of Art. Its diverse membership is across genders, ethnicities, and ages, sharing their common focus for an appreciation of artistic and cultural contributions of African Americans.

According to the current FAAAC president, Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston, "our board is eager to partner with the Columbia Museum of Art to pursue our goals by providing a multitude of programs, lectures and exhibits."

New York, New York

The Museum of Modern Art  (MoMA)

The mission of The Friends of Education of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is "to foster a greater appreciation of art created by African American artists and to encourage African American participation and membership at MoMA." This group was founded in 1993 and membership is by invitation only.