From virtual reality to photography, clothing and art, black people are exhibiting their creativity in some brilliant ways. These events and spaces celebrate black artists and creatives by giving them a safe space to express themselves without fear of discrimination or marginalisation.
Black creatives are forging their own path in the world of art and design.
Instead of waiting for opportunities to come to them, they’re creating their own creative space by establishing Black creative spaces and institutions.
These spaces give voice to Black designers, artists, makers, and other creatives who are changing how the world sees Black identity and culture through their work.
These unique hubs bring together like-minded individuals who can help each other succeed while simultaneously uplifting one another.
They remove isolation that many creatives feel as well as create a safe space to be yourself without worrying about being judged or the stigma associated with being an artist or designer.
Here is a look at some of these dynamic spaces that are helping to accelerate change for Black creaters everywhere:
Black Creative Space In London
1) BAM Creative Guild
The BAM Creative Guild is a society based in Central London that supports Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) creatives in the media, arts, fashion and the creative industries. The guild hosts a number of events throughout the year that help BAME creatives network, collaborate and find paid work. They host events across fashion, music, photography, art, games and film and have worked with industry greats like Stormzy, Dlamini and Jasmine Dotiwala, among others. The guild also has a free mentorship program for emerging creatives within the BAME community. It’s a great way to receive support from an experienced industry professional and learn from their successes and failures.
2) Black Art Fair
The Black Art Fair is a showcase of work from black artists from all over the world. The fair takes place annually at the London Chelsea Hotel and was founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs and artists, Jai-Shena Sidhu and Roohi Bhuiyan. The pair worked in the creative industries and noticed a lack of representation of black artists in exhibitions and art fairs. The Black Art Fair aims to discover fresh new talent and give black artists a platform to showcase their work to a wider audience. It’s also a great opportunity to network and make new industry contacts. The fair is an important event for black artists, but it’s also open to other ethnicities. Anyone can apply to exhibit their work at the fair. The selection process is rigorous to ensure the quality of the work is of a high standard.
3) Black Women’s Forum: Networking Evening For Professional Women
The Black Women’s Forum is a networking event for professional women of all ethnicities. The forum was founded in 2017 by Tatiana Gill and aims to bring together leading women in business, entrepreneurship and the creative industries. The forum has hosted a number of events including a panel discussion where the panelists discussed representation in the media and the importance of positive role models. The forum has a strict anti-discrimination policy and, like the guild, welcomes professionals from all ethnicities. The forum is a great event for creatives and business owners to meet and discuss how to best represent their community in the media.
4) Darker Than Blue – Launch Party For London-based photography platform
Darker Than Blue is a photography platform based in London run by photographer, Parul Shah. The platform features the work of creatives from all ethnicities, genders, sexualities and religions. The platform launched in 2014 and has since gained international recognition and won numerous awards. The launch party celebrates the achievements of the platform and the work of emerging artists within the photography community. It’s a great opportunity to network with other creatives and find people to collaborate with. Darker Than Blue is also a great way to discover more black artists creating great work.
5) Etheridge Shanks Creatives Meet-up And Networking Event
The Etheridge Shanks Creatives Meet-up and Networking Event is a celebration of creativity where creatives from all disciplines can come together to discuss their work, find collaborators and learn from each other. The event takes place once a month and is open to anyone looking to network and learn more about the arts. It’s a great opportunity for aspiring creatives to receive advice from more experienced people and find people to collaborate with. The event has a strict no-discrimination policy and welcomes people of all ethnicities and genders.
6) London Fashion and Diversity Festival – A Celebration of Diversity in the Fashion Industry
The London Fashion and Diversity Festival is an annual event that celebrates diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry. The festival was founded in 2018 by Timmy Weaver and Janine Philpot and is a showcase of work from designers, photographers, stylists and models from all ethnicities. The festival selects designers to showcase their work during London Fashion Week and gives them a platform to network with other creatives and discuss how to best represent their community. The festival welcomes creatives from all disciplines and is a great opportunity for black creatives, in particular, to receive more representation in the fashion industry. There are so many opportunities for black creatives right now, which can be overwhelming if you’re not sure where to start. Here’s a list of some of the best Black Creative Space In London: A Celebration Of Black Artists And Creatives that can help you get started.
Black Creative Space In the USA
1) Black Women Artists Foundation
The Black Women Artists Foundation is an organization that provides financial assistance to women of African descent in recognition of their artistic excellence. The organization was founded in 1996 by a group of artists and art patrons who were committed to promoting the work of Black women in the arts. The organization also hosts an annual exhibition featuring the artwork of Black women. During the exhibition, patrons can purchase the pieces at a reduced price. The BWA also facilitates other events to bring attention to the work of Black women artists, including panel discussions and workshops. Additionally, the BWA has a scholarship program that supports women who want to pursue a career in the arts. The scholarship program offers several types of scholarships, including those for undergraduate and graduate students, artists in need of financial assistance, and young women who want to become artists. The BWA is a resource for artists interested in receiving more information about careers in the arts as well as those who want to learn about the different pathways that lead to a career in the arts.
3) Black Nerds, Inc.
Black Nerds, Inc. is a space for people interested in pop culture and video games to come together, socialize, and engage with creative activities. The organization hosts a number of events, including film screenings, game nights, and workshops. The events are free for anyone interested in attending. The organization also hosts a pop culture convention, NerdCon: Black. NerdCon: Black is a convention celebrating Black creativity in pop culture. The convention includes panels featuring prominent figures in pop culture, film screenings, creative workshops, and networking events.
5)The Darkroom
The Darkroom is an organization that strives to bring together creatives of color to help them build their network and succeed. The organization hosts workshops and events, including seminars and networking events, designed to provide creatives with the tools they need to build their brand as well as equip them with the necessary skills to succeed in their field. The Darkroom also hosts photography challenges that inspire creatives to be creative and provide them with a challenge to help them grow as artists. The Darkroom also has a scholarship program. The program awards financial assistance to minority students who want to pursue a career in the creative field. The scholarship program has awarded scholarships to students in the past, including photography students and designers. The organization also accepts applications from students who want to pursue a career in another creative field but need financial assistance to do so.
2) Black Designers and Engineers in Tech (BDET)
Black Designers and Engineers in Tech is a peer mentorship program aimed at helping aspiring designers and engineers succeed in their field by connecting them with successful professionals in their respective field of interest. The program focuses on assisting designers and engineers who are Black or people of color as they navigate their way through the various hurdles they face while working in the tech industry. The mentors provide advice on topics like navigating discrimination in the workplace, finding a mentor, and negotiating a salary. They also provide tips on how to create a strong portfolio, succeed in networking events, and find the right job for their skill set. The mentorship program also hosts workshops designed to help tech professionals hone their skills and prepare to keep up with the demands of their jobs.
4)KANVAA: A Creative Space for African Americans in Los Angeles
KANVAA is a creative space in Los Angeles that encourages people interested in the arts and entrepreneurship to come together and create. The space hosts pop up shops, workshops, and events like TEDx events designed to inspire and inform people interested in art and design.
