Back to All Events

State of the Black Arts

  • MaTovu 4200 Blaine Avenue (map)

For the past five years, the St. Louis arts industry has welcomed artists like Toyin Ojih Odutola, Mickalene Thomas, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, who have entered the city via museum exhibitions and programming. This uptick of interest in black art in St. Louis’ own arts institutions is a microcosm of a trend occurring nationwide in the arts industry. Certainly, there has never been a shortage of black artistic production, historically nor contemporaneously; however, in moments of heightened mainstream interest in black art, one might inquire, is this interest only momentary? State of the Black Arts is a panel organized by Artists in the Room that will take this inquiry as a point of departure. Reflecting on the event’s title, we will also ask, what exactly is the state of black art now? This panel includes a stellar cast of black millennial artists and arts professionals, whose work in various avenues within the arts industry are illuminating the experiences, history and contributions in black art. Founders of Arts.Black: Taylor Aldridge and Jessica Lynne, curator, Amani Olu, artist Dominic Chambers and arts advocate La Keisha Leeks are among the panelists who will discuss where black art has been, its current standing, and where it is going.