Where to Go for African-American Arts and Culture

We've found seven exhibitions and events for you to visit.

Philadelphia Museum of Art, Yarrow Mamout Portrait - Last week, the Philadelphia Museum of Art acquired the historic 1819 painting of Yarrow Mamout created by renowned American artist Charles Willson Peale. The portrait, which was previously held by the Philadelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent, is significant because it is the earliest formal painting of an African-American and former slave.(Photo: Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art)

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Philadelphia Museum of Art, Yarrow Mamout Portrait - Last week, the Philadelphia Museum of Art acquired the historic 1819 painting of Yarrow Mamout created by renowned American artist Charles Willson Peale. The portrait, which was previously held by the Philadelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent, is significant because it is the earliest formal painting of an African-American and former slave.(Photo: Courtesy Philadelphia Museum of Art)

Making History - Mahalia Jackson would not only open the world’s ears to gospel music, she would make history with her music. In 1950, Jackson became the first gospel singer to ever perform at Carnegie Hall in New York. Soon after, she began touring in Europe and signed with Columbia Records in 1954. That same year, she recorded a radio series for CBS. Her mainstream success helped propel the gospel music genre into the spotlight. No one had heard such pure talent solely dedicated to God. In 1961, she sang at President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball. (Photo: Courtesy The DuSable Museum of African American History)

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The DuSable Museum of African American History, Celebrate “The Queen” Mahalia Jackson - The DuSable Museum of African American History will honor Mahalia Jackson, “The Queen of Gospel,” on what would have been her 100th birthday. The event will be held October 28–30 and will tie into the museum’s latest exhibition, Spread the Word: The Evolution of Gospel from Chicago to the World. (Photo: Courtesy The DuSable Museum of African American History)

Tubman African American Museum, Equal Rites: Works by Michael D. Harris - Equal Rites: Works by Michael D. Harris at the Tubman African American Museum explores the history behind women’s hairstyles, real versus imagined notions of life in Barbados, and issues regarding “Blackness” through the artist’s mixed media work. A special reception will take place Friday to celebrate the new exhibition. (Photo: T.W. Meyer/Tubman African American Museum)

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Tubman African American Museum, Equal Rites: Works by Michael D. Harris - Equal Rites: Works by Michael D. Harris at the Tubman African American Museum explores the history behind women’s hairstyles, real versus imagined notions of life in Barbados, and issues regarding “Blackness” through the artist’s mixed media work. A special reception will take place Friday to celebrate the new exhibition. (Photo: T.W. Meyer/Tubman African American Museum)

Studio Museum Harlem, Who, What, Wear: Selections From the Permanent Collection - Who, What, Wear: Selections From the Permanent Collection looks at the evolution of style both on a national and international scope. Throughout the exhibition you’ll discover the influences that have led to the way individuals have chosen to present themselves, including hip hop, technology, traditions and African textiles. (Photo: Courtesy Studio Museum Harlem)

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Studio Museum Harlem, Who, What, Wear: Selections From the Permanent Collection - Who, What, Wear: Selections From the Permanent Collection looks at the evolution of style both on a national and international scope. Throughout the exhibition you’ll discover the influences that have led to the way individuals have chosen to present themselves, including hip hop, technology, traditions and African textiles. (Photo: Courtesy Studio Museum Harlem)

African American Art & Culture Complex, “Cinderella” by African American Shakespeare Company - Watch the African American Shakespeare Company perform a soulful rendition of “Cinderella” at the African American Art & Culture Complex beginning Dec. 2. During the 2011–2012 season, the company will also perform "Julius Caesar" and "Xtigone," playwright Nambi E. Kelley’s urban adaptation of Sophocles’ "Antigone," which was created as a response to the gang violence among Chicago youth. (Photo: Lance Huntley/ African American Shakespeare Company)

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African American Art & Culture Complex, “Cinderella” by African American Shakespeare Company - Watch the African American Shakespeare Company perform a soulful rendition of “Cinderella” at the African American Art & Culture Complex beginning Dec. 2. During the 2011–2012 season, the company will also perform "Julius Caesar" and "Xtigone," playwright Nambi E. Kelley’s urban adaptation of Sophocles’ "Antigone," which was created as a response to the gang violence among Chicago youth. (Photo: Lance Huntley/ African American Shakespeare Company)

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California African American Museum, Gallery of Discovery - The semi-permanent exhibition and education space features voices of slaves taken from the Library of Congress archives, a shack depicting a typical slave cabin, the history of Frederick Douglass’s rise from slavery, and a chance for visitors to connect with their own family lineage. (Photo: Courtesy California African American Museum)

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California African American Museum, Gallery of Discovery - The semi-permanent exhibition and education space features voices of slaves taken from the Library of Congress archives, a shack depicting a typical slave cabin, the history of Frederick Douglass’s rise from slavery, and a chance for visitors to connect with their own family lineage. (Photo: Courtesy California African American Museum)

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights - For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights looks into the role visual images played during the fight for racial justice in the United States including the rise of color photography, the pamphlets and newsletters passed around in Black churches, and television news reports. (Photo: Courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)

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Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights - For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights looks into the role visual images played during the fight for racial justice in the United States including the rise of color photography, the pamphlets and newsletters passed around in Black churches, and television news reports. (Photo: Courtesy Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture)