National Black Arts Festival celebrates 35 years in Atlanta, continues to uplift Black art and artists

October 4th, 2023

The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) is celebrating its 35th anniversary this weekend. From left to right: NBAF artistic director Oronike Odeleye and NBAF executive director Stephanie Owens join “Closer Look” to discuss the huge milestone, championing equity through art, and NBAF’s inaugural artists showcase. (LaShawn Hudson/ WABE)

The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) has celebrated and uplifted Black artists and the many art forms they have produced for more than three decades.

The once one-week festival, which is now an organization offering year-round programming, was launched by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in the late 1980s.

“It has evolved as an organization that really wants to not only highlight those who have been paving the way and laying the foundation — but also uplifting the emerging talent that is to come,” said NBAF Executive Director Stephanie Owens.

On Wednesday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Owens and NBAF Artistic Director Oronike Odeleye talked with show host Rose Scott about NBAF’s journey of the past 35 years, championing equity through art and NBAF’s upcoming inaugural Artists Showcase at its 35th-anniversary event.

During the conversation, NBAF leaders also talked about the importance of youth being exposed to art and plans to expand and rebuild the organization’s yearly festival.

“Arts organizations all over the nation, the world, are shuttering right now,” said Owens. “So, we just want to maintain and stay around another 35 years.”