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Get ready to celebrate the incredible contributions of black women in the arts during the International Week of Black Women in the Arts! This week-long event, which takes place from Oct. 1-7, highlights the achievements and talents of black women in various artistic fields such as music, dance, literature, and visual arts. It was first founded in 2003 by Dr. Dorothy J. Dandridge to promote diversity and representation in the arts industry. Through this celebration, we can honor and appreciate the creativity, resilience, and innovation of black women artists around the world. Let's join together to support and uplift these amazing individuals during this special week!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1915</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Harlem Renaissance</div><div class='timeline-text'>Black women began to shine in the arts during the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural, social, and artistic explosion that brought attention to African American artists, writers, musicians, and actors.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1943</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Marian Anderson's Historic Performance</div><div class='timeline-text'>The famous black singer Marian Anderson made history by performing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, making her the first African American to perform with the company.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Gwendolyn Brooks' Pulitzer Win</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gwendolyn Brooks became the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for her poetry, marking a significant milestone in literature.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1972</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Faith Ringgold's Feminist Art</div><div class='timeline-text'>Artist Faith Ringgold ignited conversations about race and gender through her feminist work in the visual arts during the Feminist Art Movement of the 1970s.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1983</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Alice Walker's The Color Purple</div><div class='timeline-text'>Alice Walker, a black woman author, won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award for her novel The Color Purple.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Foundation of Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Dorothy J. Dandridge established International Week of Black Women in the Arts to honor and promote black women's contributions to the arts.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a black women's art exhibit</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Support black women in the arts by attending an exhibit featuring their work. This is a great way to learn about different forms of art and support talented black female artists.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a movie night showcasing films by black women</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather your friends and family for a movie night celebrating the work of black women in film. You can watch documentaries, dramas, or comedies directed by black women and have a discussion afterwards about the impact of their work.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a spoken word event featuring black female poets</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Experience the power and beauty of spoken word poetry by attending an event featuring performances by black female poets. This is a great way to support and uplift black women in the arts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Participate in a workshop or panel discussion led by black women in the arts</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Expand your knowledge and skills by participating in a workshop or panel discussion led by black women in the arts. This is a great opportunity to learn from their experiences and perspectives as artists.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create your own piece of art inspired by a black female artist</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Channel your creativity and pay tribute to black women in the arts by creating your own piece of art inspired by the work of a black female artist. This is a meaningful way to celebrate their contributions to the art world.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates and honors Black women in the arts</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The International Week of Black Women In the Arts is a time to recognize and uplift the accomplishments and contributions of Black women in various art forms such as music, dance, theater, literature, and visual arts. This holiday gives well-deserved recognition and representation to these talented individuals.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about diversity and inclusion in the arts world</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>This event brings attention to the lack of representation and diversity within the arts industry. By shining a spotlight on Black women artists, it challenges society to be more inclusive and encourages platforms to provide equal opportunities for all artists regardless of race or gender.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It inspires future generations</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By showcasing successful Black women in the arts, this holiday serves as a source of inspiration for young girls who aspire to pursue a career in any form of art. It also proves the importance and impact of representation in the media, as it allows young girls to see themselves reflected in their role models.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Black women have shaped every artistic field</h3><p class='facts-content'>From literature to film making, visual arts to music, black women have made significant contributions and left indelible marks in every artistic discipline throughout history.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There were trailblazing black women artists in the 19th century</h3><p class='facts-content'>Pioneers like sculptor Edmonia Lewis and performer Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones paved the way in the 19th century, achieving international fame despite continual racial discrimination.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Harlem Renaissance was a significant era</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s saw a flourishing of black women artists, writers and performers who fundamentally shaped American culture.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Black women have won top arts prizes</h3><p class='facts-content'>Black women artists have been recognized at the highest levels, from Toni Morrison's Nobel Prize for Literature to Beyoncé's record-breaking Grammy wins.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Artivism is a key trend</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many black women artists today are focusing on artivism, using their art to raise awareness and fight for social justice issues, proving their impact extends beyond the artistic medium into real-world activism.</p></div></div>
International Week of Black Women In the Arts is celebrated on February 7 every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Wednesday.
2023
Feb 7
Tuesday
2024
Feb 7
Wednesday
2025
Feb 7
Friday
2026
Feb 7
Saturday
2027
Feb 7
Sunday
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