Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: African Voices: Global Africa

For Students 6th - 8th
The rich, vibrant African American culture has spread far and wide through our world. Follow the routes taken over the millennia by examining the following maps that include short descriptions. Listen to audio from slaves describing...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Frank Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Frank Jones is described here along with information on his contributions to art. Jones, an African American artist, was incarcerated for much of his life.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: The Art and Life of William H. Johnson

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
With this leasson plan, learners will learn about prominent African American artist William H. Johnson and his influence both on the history of art and black American culture. Select a link for the desired grade level version of this...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Joshua Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Joshua Johnson is described here along with information on his contributions to art. Johnson is the "earliest documented" African American painter.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Bearden,. Romare

For Students 9th - 10th
This short encyclopedia article tells about Romare Bearden, a prolific African American artist and author. Links to other websites for more information.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Grafton Tyler Brown (1841 1918)

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about Grafton Tyler Brown, the most successful African American artist in the 19th Century west, who lived his adult life as a white man.
Primary
National Humanities Center

National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Theater, Making of African American Identity: V. 3

For Students 9th - 10th
A manifesto and scenes from a play illustrating black protest in the theater. LeRoi Jones's short manifesto, "The Revolutionary Theatre," and Douglas Turner Ward's, " Day of Absence" encapsulates the mindset of many black writers and...
PPT
Columbia University

Columbia University: "The Migration Series" by Jacob Lawrence

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a four slide-show examination of the pictorial series that the Harlem Renaissance artist Jacob Lawrence created in paint to tell the story of the "The Great Migration" of African-Americans from the Southern United States to the...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian American Art Museum: John Biggers

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, this site provides brief biographical information on John Biggers in addition to an extensive listing of his works as displayed at the museum.
Handout
PBS

Pbs American Masters: Muddy Waters

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a look into the life of blues artist Muddy Waters (1913-1983 CE). With an informative biography and an interactive career timeline, you will enjoy learning about this music legend.
Handout
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission

Explore Pa History: Horace Pippin

For Students 3rd - 8th
A concise biographical sketch that examines the contributions of African American painter and Pennsylvania native, Horace Pippin.
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: William H Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
Profiles William H. Johnson, an African-American artist best known for his paintings and prints of landscapes and portraits.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian American Art Museum: William Henry Johnson

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, this site provides biographical information on William Henry Johnson in addition to an extensive listing of his works as displayed at the museum.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Cooke, Sam (1931 1964)

For Students 9th - 10th
Sam Cooke's influence on music, as the pioneer in cross-over from gospel to rhythm and blues, is described in this encyclopedia entry. His music was important to the African-American identity in the Civil Rights movement.
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Thornton Dial, Sr.

For Students 9th - 10th
As part of the Smithsonian Art Museum's database of artists, Thornton Dial, Sr. is described here along with information on his contributions to art through his paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
Graphic
Other

Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the Harlem Renaissance

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of representative art from the Harlem Renaissance.
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Rhythms in Poetry: Langston Hughes

For Students 9th - 10th
Poet laureate Langston Hughes is featured in this brief biography highlighting his vast collection of writings, particularly his poetry, which drew upon racial and self awareness in America. See "Langston Hughes Activities" for related...
Website
Other

The Official Website of Misty Copeland

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the background and artistic influence of ballet dancer Misty Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer for the acclaimed American Ballet Theater. The site also provides links to videos and magazine articles...
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: Jacob Lawrence

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical account covers the life and career of Jacob Lawrence, African-American painter of the 20th century.
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: Hughie Lee Smith

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical summary of the life and career of Hughie Lee-Smith, an African-American surrealist painter.
Handout
Encyclopedia Britannica

Encyclopedia Britannica: Augusta Savage

For Students 9th - 10th
Read interesting facts about the life of American sculptor and educator, Augusta Savage, who battled racism to secure a place for African American women in the art world.
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: Romare Bearden

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical account covers the life and career of Romare Bearden, African-American painter who worked in many different types of media.
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: Edward Mitchell Bannister

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical summary of the life and career of Edward Mitchell Bannister, a noted African American painter of the nineteenth century.
Handout
Van Gogh Gallery

The Van Gogh Gallery: Archibald John Jr Motley

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical summary of the life and career of Archibald John Jr Motley, African American visual painter whose work was divided between portraits and narrative paintings.