Black Arts movement

This 1960s and 1970s cultural movement, begun by African American artists and intellectuals based in the United States, arose during a time when Black people around the world were engaged in struggles for liberation and equality—from the Black Power movement to decolonization efforts across the African continent—to promote Black self-determination (or the power to make decisions for oneself) through cultural production. Using literature, theater, and the visual arts, the movement emphasized artmaking rooted in Black history and identity. Work was made for Black audiences and was meant to be easily accessible, both in terms of its figurative content (what it depicted) and where you could find it (public murals, inexpensive prints, etc.).