| |
 |
 |
 |
Created in 1987, the National Black Arts Festival is rooted in the creative expressions of people of African descent. It has set for itself the task of presenting and celebrating the full range of artistic disciplines from dance, music and literature to film, drama and the visual arts.
Our Mission
"...to produce and present new and existing art by, for and relevant to artists of African descent which will enrich and educate the public and influence culture. "
The artistic purpose and vision of the organization is to provide an environment in which artists can share their creativity, audiences can celebrate and share the "cultural centrality" of the African legacy and both audiences and artists can define, document and debate the cultural and artistic heritage of the African diaspora.
The artistic purpose and vision is further defined and is core to the organization's values statement:
"...to continue the African heritage and to create a legacy by celebrating, perpetuating and preserving the arts and culture through the cross-fertilization of multiple artistic disciplines of the highest quality and integrity."
Our Artistic Focus
Art not only expresses the human condition, it also has the potential to actually transform the human condition, by deepening our understanding of who we are, where we've been, and what we can be. Great art not only pleases, it provokes, challenges, and stimulates the soul as well as the mind. As Artistic Director of the 1998 National Black Arts Festival, I look forward to providing a vision for the festival that takes seriously the responsibility of presenting great art.
I succeed my colleague and friend Avery Brooks and I intend to build upon the fine foundation he has provided us. To that end, I hope to both broaden and deepen the Festival's scope of activity; expanding the education and outreach base, heightening the nation's awareness of the many treasures the Festival offers, and helping the Festival to assume its rightful place as advocate for the creation and preservation of our art and culture. The Festival's central mission of presenting the most significant art and artists to the African diaspora will not change in 1998. However, this year will see the advent of a variety of arts experiences and encounters that will serve as a preparation for the Festival in 1998, The long range impact of this move toward year round programming will be three fold:
- It will develop and nurture the artists and audiences of the future;
- It will create new and innovative encounters between the community and the artists; and
- It will provide opportunities for the sustained and systematic development of new works.
The NBAF provides an invaluable contribution to our nation and to the world by presenting the rich, varied, and ever-evolving artistic expressions of the African diaspora.
As we approach the 1Oth Anniversary of the Festival, we will take our cue from the arts and it's artists; we will
swing like the jazz musician . . .
soar like the dancer . . .
and dig deeply like the painter and the writer or the images and words which speak so powerfully of our experience and our aspirations.
-Dr. Dwight Andrews
-Artistic Director, National Black Arts Festival
Web Site Designed & Maintained by Chris
Mabry.
© 1998 National Black Arts Festival
Last updated on: 4/29/98.