Community Gallery, 1970-1971, 1976-1986
Scope and Contents
Most of the records of the Community Gallery were separated from the Education department and can be found in the collection RG-05. Technically, after Henri Ghent was fired, the Community Gallery was overseen by the Community Services division of the Education department. These files reflect discussions between Richard Waller and Sophie Johnson, and how they collaborated in addition to exhibit files.
Dates
- 1970-1971
- 1976-1986
Creator
- From the Collection: Brooklyn Museum (Organization)
Biographical / Historical
The Community Gallery was a 2,000 square foot space on the ground floor of the east wing of the Brooklyn Museum that existed from 1968 to 1986. In the late 1960s and 1970s, African-American and Black artists protested the racist exclusion and segregation of their work and knowledge from Museums, and, in particular, derision by institutional leadership. In 1967 members of Federated Institutes of Cultural Enrichment (FICE), a collective of four local Black cultural institutions, demanded that the Brooklyn Museum exhibit more local, BIPOC, and non-traditional artists/arts. These actions activists resulted in the founding of the Community Gallery as a response. The Community Gallery hosted between 5-9 exhibits a year and focused on exhibiting local, BIPOC, and non-traditional artists. Although small in size and duration, its historical impact on the surrounding community is undeniable in the partnerships that it fostered.
Extent
From the Collection: 122.56 Linear Feet (87 records center cartons, 26 manuscript boxes, 3 flat oversized boxes, 3 index card boxes, 1 odd sized pre-visit kit, 2 volumes, and 12 pre-visit brief cases. )
Arrangement
Administrative files are listed first, followed by exhibit files.
Repository Details
Part of the Brooklyn Museum Archives Repository