Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc.

Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc. The Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists (NCAAA) is dedicated to the celebration,

The Museum presents a wide range of historical and contemporary exhibitions in many media, including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography and decorative arts. Among the resources offered at the Museum are its African, Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean and African American collections; an extensive slide archive, and a rich variety of education programs for young people and adults.

🎬 CLASSIC BLACK MOVIES is back at NCAAA! 🎬We're partnering with Black Net Worth Development Association, Inc. to present...
08/14/2026

🎬 CLASSIC BLACK MOVIES is back at NCAAA! 🎬

We're partnering with Black Net Worth Development Association, Inc. to present a summer of outdoor movie nights at the historic Abbotsford Mansion! Grab your lawn chair, blanket and your crew for a night under the stars. Doors at 7PM, movie starts at dusk. Enjoy our beer & wine garden (cash bar) while you watch. FREE and open to the public!

📅 Sat, Aug 15 — Love Jones
📅 Sat, Aug 22 — Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
📅 Sat, Aug 29 — Do the Right Thing (A Spike Lee Joint)

📍 National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Ave, Roxbury
☎️ VIP & info: 617-866-2593

🎉 BIG NEWS from the NCAAA family! 🎉We are overjoyed to share that the National Center of Afro-American Artists has been ...
05/30/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS from the NCAAA family! 🎉
We are overjoyed to share that the National Center of Afro-American Artists has been awarded a $100,000 state budget earmark for FY27 — the first state earmark in NCAAA's 58-year history!

This milestone investment, secured through the leadership of State Senator Liz Miranda and her office, will support critical capital improvements at our museum and historic home, Abbotsford Mansion, including completion of our ADA accessibility ramp, building renovations, and the expansion of community arts programming.

Senator Miranda has long championed Roxbury's cultural identity and the institutions that give our community its soul. This earmark is a testament to her commitment to the people of the Second Suffolk District — and to the belief that Black cultural institutions deserve the full investment of the Commonwealth.

Founded by Dr. Elma Ina Lewis in 1968, NCAAA has been the cultural heartbeat of Roxbury for 58 years. This moment honors her legacy — and opens new doors for the generations to come.

Thank you, Senator Miranda and the entire Second Suffolk team. We are grateful, humbled, and energized 🙏🏾

Join us for this vibrant day of intergenerational education, artistic celebration, historic pageantry, and grounded comm...
05/30/2026

Join us for this vibrant day of intergenerational education, artistic celebration, historic pageantry, and grounded community presence that is uniquely powerful and uniquely Roxbury.

Registration Now open for event vendors, parade participants and volunteers: https://forms.gle/tC2sT242a5eA69NA9

Join us!----Friday, June 19th as we commemorate this very important day! Featuring three spectacular events throughout t...
05/20/2026

Join us!----Friday, June 19th as we commemorate this very important day!

Featuring three spectacular events throughout the day:

12:00PM--Flag-Raising at Dillaway-Thomas House, Eliot Square Roxbury Heritage State Park, 183 Roxbury Street, Roxbury, MA 02119
1:30 PM--Parade from Eliot Square to Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc., 300 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury, MA 02119 via Nubian Square
4:00 PM--Emancipation Observance Program, Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Inc.

With the transition of Napoleon Jones-Henderson to the realm of ancestors, we have lost a truly great artist, teacher, r...
12/10/2025

With the transition of Napoleon Jones-Henderson to the realm of ancestors, we have lost a truly great artist, teacher, researcher, and friend. He stood out as an African-centric critic of the arts tradition to which he contributed so much. Always expansive in his thinking, Jones-Henderson worked in many media pursuing interests in printmaking, fabrics and design, mural-making and enameling. An exponent of the Chicago-spawned AfriCobra movement in Black Art, he conducted creative projects across the globe including Europe, the Caribbean and Africa as well as the African Diaspora beyond. Through his imaginative imagery he celebrated the colors, patterns, energy and soul of continental and Diaspora African legacies. In his many commissions, he always integrated young people that he mentored carefully. His artistic impact stretched over more than half a century reaching myriad communities and increasing both understanding and appreciation of what it really meant to declare that “we are an African people”.

Edmund Barry Gaither
Executive Director Emeritus

Image: Roxbury Rhapsody by Napoleon Jones-Henderson

Join us for the Un-monument end of year celebration of Finding Ourselves in Public Spaces in conjunction with the culmin...
12/05/2025

Join us for the Un-monument end of year celebration of Finding Ourselves in Public Spaces in conjunction with the culminating event of the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Boston UnMonument series!

There will be a premiere screening of the “Cancel Violence: Artists Speak” documentary, a public conversation, and the first-ever video projection onto the museum's prized sculpture, “Eternal Presence,” by John Wilson.

With our partners:
🌟 Music: Zack Wilson and Jamila Gordon
🌟 Documentary: ft. , , , and more
🌟 Conversation: Alexis Smith and Laurence "Larry" Pierce, moderated by Edmund Barry Gaither
🌟 Projections: and

📆 Wednesday, December 10
🕡 6:30 p.m.
📍 Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (300 Walnut Street)
🎟️ Free!

🔗 RSVP at unmonumentendofyearcelebration.splashthat.com

11/16/2025

This Holiday Season: Experience the Black Nativity Joy!

For 55 years, Langston Hughes' Black Nativity has welcomed ALL people into our circle of light. Join us as 75+ voices, African drums, and glorious gospel unite in this gathering place where differences dissolve and humanity celebrates joy, resilience, and peace.

DEC 05—21 at the Paramount in downtown Boston. Get tickets today! WWW.BLACKNATIVITY.ORG

Finding Ourselves in Public Spaces: A Roxbury Story Takes FlightJoin us for an inspiring conversation about Airfoil/Capt...
09/29/2025

Finding Ourselves in Public Spaces: A Roxbury Story Takes Flight

Join us for an inspiring conversation about Airfoil/Captain David L. Ramsay Memorial—a powerful tribute to "The Man from Roxbury Who Dreamed of Flying." This sleek stainless steel sculpture honors Captain David L. Ramsay, a trailblazing Black military pilot who grew up right where Ramsay Park stands today. The 47th African American to graduate from West Point, Captain Ramsay's legacy soars through this stunning memorial created by renowned sculptor Valerie Maynard and Roxbury-born artist Reginald Jackson.

Hear from the artist himself! Dr. Reginald Jackson will share insights about creating this meaningful work, joined by author and advocate Haywood Fennell, Sr.

📍 Ramsay Park, 1917 Washington Street, Boston
📅 Sunday, October 5, 2025
🕐 2 pm - 4 pm

RSVP: bit.ly/UnMonumentAirfoil

This UnMonument Project walking tour celebrates Black excellence, community memory, and the power of public art. Discover how one sculpture reclaims narrative, honors a hometown hero, and keeps dreams aloft.

Free and open to all. Bring your curiosity and community spirit!
Presented by Museum of African American History Boston | Nantucket, UnMonument, National Center of Afro-American Artists, and Hibernian Hall

Join us for a jubilant afternoon of singing and celebration at the Eliot Church of Roxbury! This in-person event will ga...
09/28/2025

Join us for a jubilant afternoon of singing and celebration at the Eliot Church of Roxbury! This in-person event will gather community to lift our voices in harmony with the cast of Boston’s Black Nativity, the world’s longest running production of a Langston Hughes play.

Come learn about Langston Hughes’ powerful musical and discover how to become a part of this cherished Boston tradition. Whether you're a seasoned singer or just love to belt out a tune, this event is for you! Bring your friends and family for a soulful, melodious, gospel filled experience!

FREE EVENT! Refreshments will be served.
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../black-nativity-community...
________________________________________________________
Don't miss Black Nativity, celebrating 55 years of a timeless message of hope, joy, resilience and peace!
Dec. 5-21, 2025 | Emerson Paramount Center
559 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
Tickets on sale now! www.blacknativity.org | 617-824-8400

Thank you, Mr. Gaither!Roxbury’s premier Black cultural institution is undergoing a leadership change, with Barry Gaithe...
09/25/2025

Thank you, Mr. Gaither!

Roxbury’s premier Black cultural institution is undergoing a leadership change, with Barry Gaither stepping down as the longtime executive director of the National Center of Afro-American Artists founded by Elma Lewis.

Akiba Abaka, a theater producer and arts administrator, succeeds him as director of the center best known for its museum in a historic mansion and Christmastime production of “Black Nativity,” a play by Langston Hughes.

The transition, which began in the summer, was announced Sept. 24. Gaither, whom Lewis recruited in 1969 to create the art museum, will remain affiliated with the National Center of Afro-American Artists as executive director emeritus.

“I dedicated my life to the NCAAA and the work of Black artists because I believe deeply in the power of art to affirm the dignity, creativity and contributions of Black people everywhere,” Gaither, 80, said. “It’s been my life’s honor to build upon the foundation laid by my friend Elma Lewis and to foster a home here for Black artists.”

Read full article: https://baystatebanner.com/.../barry-gaither-steps-down.../

(c) donwestfoto

Address

300 Walnut Avenue
Roxbury, MA
02119

Opening Hours

Tuesday 1pm - 5pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 1pm - 5pm
Friday 1pm - 5pm
Saturday 1pm - 5pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Telephone

(617) 442-8014

Website

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