Black artists are leading bold creative movements across the country this spring—and the spotlight is well-deserved.
In Charlotte, the city’s 17-day SHOUT! Festival (April 4–20) is turning Uptown into a celebration of music, food, fashion, and visual art. Over 200 events are planned, with several highlighting Black excellence. Local favorites like Erbriyon Barrett (Cloud) bring pop-art murals to life, while Malachi Elliott explores Afrofuturism in live painting.
Artists like Sir Will, Virginia Holmes, and Danyelle Ray share personal stories through street art, poetry-inspired pieces, and community murals. The lineup also includes creatives like Makayla Binter, who designed this year’s festival guide, and NOME 305, whose graffiti merges fashion and storytelling.
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Art that builds community
Meanwhile, in Colorado, exhibits like Black Futures: The Space Between Us at Lafayette’s Collective Community Arts Center and Boulder’s Dairy Arts Center explore the power of connection through a Black cultural lens. The Museum of Boulder honors local Black history with Proclaiming Colorado’s Black History, while university galleries like CU’s Art Museum add fresh takes on identity and resilience. These showcases run through April and May, giving artists space to reflect and inspire.
Down in Houston, the Edison Arts Foundation is building a legacy. Its $56 million Robert and Bertha Edison Cultural Arts Center, led by visionary Charity Carter, is set to open by the end of the year. The 12.5-acre space will include performance venues, affordable housing, parks, and creative programs—all designed to revitalize Fort Bend County without pushing people out. It’s a rare mix of community investment and cultural preservation.
From festivals to permanent institutions, Black artists are shaping the future—not just with beauty but with purpose. Want in? Support, show up, and stay connected to the movement.
Key Takeaways
Black artists are at the forefront of innovative creative movements across the nation this spring, from festivals to lasting cultural centers.
- Impact: Black artists are fueling cultural movements that celebrate and empower their communities, emphasizing the importance of representation and community building.
- Action: Attend and back local events and institutions led by Black artists, like the SHOUT! Festival in Charlotte and the Robert and Bertha Edison Cultural Arts Center in Houston.
- Empowerment: Connect with and promote the work of Black artists to elevate their voices and impact, helping to create a more inclusive and dynamic cultural scene.
