The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) has evolved from a biannual arts festival, begun in 1987, to a year-round institution with an educational and humanities focus. Its mission is “to develop, expose and educate audiences to the arts and culture of the African Diaspora and provide diverse opportunities for artistic and creative expression.”
Underlying that mission is NBAF’s goal to bring diverse communities together through art and culture. The highlight of its programs is the annual summer arts festival held in July.
Celebrating the Legacy, Global Connections and the Future Together
Featuring music, theater, film, dance, visual arts and literature, the 10-day National Black Arts Festival, held July 18-27, is a dynamic celebration of the creativity of people of African descent around the world. In an exploration of the power of the arts to connect cultures, generations and communities, this year’s National Black Arts Festival spotlights W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963), eminent African-American writer, sociologist, activist and founding member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. NBAF marks the 100th anniversary of the publication of “The Souls of Black Folks,” a seminal collection of his essays. DuBois, who taught at Atlanta University from 1897-1914 and again in the 1930s, encouraged the development of black literature and art through his many writings and activism. His powerful legacy connects generations.
The sweep of the National Black Arts Festival spotlight is broad. It is highlighting global connections in its exploration of the African presence in Central and South America; hip-hop as a musical form that transcends boundaries and brings people together; and the state of black culture in the 21st century. Many of the festival’s activities and performances are interwoven with these themes.
Another element of the National Black Arts Festival is honoring the accomplishments of African-American pioneers in the arts, featuring the Negro Ensemble Company, the first wholly black theater company in this country, founded in 1967. The sound and soul of music are heard throughout metro Atlanta during the festival, with special performances of local and nationally known artists. The hot spot is Late Night Soul Suite at Underground Atlanta. Local, regional and nationally known artists are participating. The Children’s Education Village, the popular Artists Market at Greenbriar Mall and the Gallery Crawl are back. In the end, “we don’t want to just entertain — we want to provoke people to think,” says Stephanie S. Hughley, executive producer and founding artistic director of the National Black Arts Festival.
A Year-Round Effort
The National Black Arts Festival also offers programs throughout the year designed to increase knowledge and understanding of African-American history and culture. In keeping with one of the summer festival themes of exploring the African presence in Central and South America, NBAF is sponsoring a Summer Institute for Teachers on the subject. In addition, it has developed a study tour to Nicaragua, in which participants will travel to the Caribbean coast of the Central American country to study the area’s history.
 “I love the diversity of the people in Atlanta. There is a good mix of people who come here to be successful. The entertainment value in the city is the best. This city has a lot to offer, from the excellent weather year-round, to great restaurants, to world-class events, and the sports scene adds to overall enjoyment.”
Bob Whitfield
Offensive Tackle, Atlanta Falcons |
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Also among the programs are the NBAF African-American History Quiz Bowl for elementary school students in February; Workshops for Art Educators in March; the Youth Leadership Forum; the Summer Institute for Teachers; the annual November trip to Penn Center at St. Helena, S.C., the national landmark site of an experimental program begun in 1864 to teach formerly enslaved people of the Sea Islands, who were freed at the beginning of the Civil War; and Children’s Education Mini-Villages offered in schools each fall.
A popular holiday event is the National Black Arts Festival Holiday Bazaar at Greenbriar Mall in Atlanta, with more than 70 artists, artists’ collectives and arts organizations from metro Atlanta and around the country presenting an array of crafts, gifts and artwork. The event also features the Kwanzaa Korner, an activity center for children that focuses on the seven principles of the holiday. The NBAF celebrates its creative connections around the world and honors the “beauty of our common humanity,” Hughley says.
For up-to-the-minute information on schedules and events, call
(404) 730-7315 or visit
www.nbaf.org.
