Art Galleries at Black Studies is excited to announce a multiyear program titled Why Black Museums, which honors and examines Black museums’ contributions to the museum field. This spring the inaugural events will highlight several scholars and professionals working within the Black Studies department at The University of Texas at Austin Black Studies department as well as Black museums across the United States.

On Friday, April 21 Why Black Museums will commence with a day of events dedicated to the theme: Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future. The morning roundtable (10:30am-12pm) features Dr. Ted Gordon, Rachel Winston, and Phillip Townsend, who will converse on the development of the African and African Diaspora Studies Department at The University of Texas at Austin.

The afternoon panel features Dr. Ariana Curtis, Cameron Shaw, Dr. Alvia Wardlaw, and Dr. Cherise Smith. Panelists will discuss their personal and professional connections with Black museums, the development of the institutions they now call home, and the future of community-focused museums. Delphine Sims and Dr. Gaila Sims will moderate and lead a Q&A.

Following this event, the audience is invited to join the panelists and moderators at a reception in AGBS’s Christian-Green Gallery. Artists, scholars, museum professionals, students, and other community members are welcomed to gather collectivly to recognize these incredible speakers, celebrate the organizations with which they are affiliated, and look ahead to these pivotal institutions’ future innovations.

In recognition of the importance of accessibility and sustainability, this event will be offered in a hybrid format. The livestream of this symposium can be found at the bottom of this page.

This event is free and open to the public. RSVPs for in-person participation are closed, but please join virtually, click here.

Friday, April 21, 2023
WCP 2.120 Meeting Room

Panel 1: Edmund T. Gordon, Rachel Winston, Phillip Townsend
10:30–12 p.m.

Lunch
12-12:45 p.m.

Panel 2: Ariana Curtis, Cameron Shaw, Alvia Wardlaw, Cherise Smith
12:45–2:40 p.m.

Coffee reception
3–4:30 p.m.
Christian-Green Gallery

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