Black Artist Guild Spring 2021 Update

Launched in February 2021, The Akron Black Artist Guild formed as a means to convene Black artists and offer them resources, connections, and a path to mobilize. 

Educator and artist Dara Harper says that the origin story of the Guild came when many Black artists were sitting around a table during a planning session for the Akron Cultural Plan, talking about their commonality and feelings of isolation when she suggested the idea of the guild.

Through the Guild’s Speaker Series, they have already welcomed national experts such as Lisa Scails, executive director of the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, who spoke about mobilizing the movement, as well as installation artist and professor Theaster Gates, who spoke about artist-led initiatives.

Local dancer and choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson explains that the group of artists is building a structure that’s going to be organic and strong. And that just like art-making, you always find gems if you commit yourself to the process.

The excitement is growing and becoming more organized. Members have the drive and the passion to make their ideas happen in a collective way. 

They came together as a means for Black artists to realize that they are not alone and have found support. The group promises to be a driving force for the sector in terms of artistic excellence, education and advocacy.