National Black Arts Festival (nbaf.org/youth-programs) is ensuring continued support for Black artists through a variety of funded programs to ensure equity in resources for the Black community in an effort to create a brighter future for our communities through the power of Black art.

The 2019 Move/Dance! class after taking a master class with an Alvin Ailey principal dancer; photo courtesy of NBAF

Photo courtesy of NBAF

Move/Dance!

NBAF has established a deep partnership with local APS middle schools through a program called Move/Dance! This program offers curriculum on Black dance and its history, showcases a dance competition, a public presentation and provides scholarship possibilities. At the core of this project is improving health and teaching wellness as an everyday practice to the individual and, by extension, their families. Dance is a vehicle for this lesson, and is further supported by research of Black dance history and a detailed look into those who paved the way. This year, special events include Alvin Ailey master classes and more.

Photo by Mike Von/Unsplash

NextGen Artist

This program, supported by Fulton County and ARPA Funding, targets high school students who are emerging artists of African descent, with the goal of creating thriving future artists. Spring 2022 programming includes Maynard’s Discover Fashion Workshop with JCPenney, a series where participants of Maynard High School’s IB art class will receive mentorship from an artist with a curatorial background from January to March in preparation for an exhibition March 31st. Students will be challenged to market themselves, and their work, as well as getting a real-life look at the process of selling art. Others include Fashion Project & Workforce Development, Walgreens Fine Arts + Fashion, Digital Storytelling in the Arts and Elements of Hip-Hop.

Photo by Charlota Blunarova

Fashion Forward

Sponsored and hosted by Neiman Marcus, Fashion Forward is a competition for emerging SCAD and CAU fashion design students. You may recognize the end result of this competition at NBAF’s annual Fine Art + Fashion event, where the winners are honored with a cash award, exhibit at Neiman Marcus and receive special recognition. Each award recipient is selected for having excelled academically; mastered their field of study; and having been recognized by their peers, their school and the event judges. Last year’s winners included Ifeade Adedokun, Ian Carlo Vincent and E’Naiyah Frazier, all of whom have gained notoriety since being awarded.