THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS IN THIS PIECE DO NOT REFLECT THE ARTIST’S VIEW. THIS IS STRICTLY AN ACCOUNT OF OUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM OF KANSAS CITY.
SHAME ON THE NELSON ATKINS MUSEUM
The Nelson Atkins Museum, won’t tell you, so we will…
Congrats to our friend, and hometown artist Harold Smith, along with over 2 dozen more amazing local black-American artists.
Skip the museum and see, connect, and BUY, The Many Masterpieces By Harold Smith here:
https://issuu.com/haroldsmith7
For the first time in history, (we are pretty sure), finally, The Nelson Atkins Museum has a local-black artists exhibit. Crazy right? Finally, The Nelson has not just displayed our ancestors’ art and culture on the walls, but now, they have given some exposure to living black artists right here in their own backyard.
Though many of us; such as KC Girl On The Move, have visited the FREE exhibit, opened June 5, 2021, thru, MARCH 27, 2022, the vast majority of black folks in KC have no idea that they have finally included us.
Sadly, The Nelson has not engaged with any black KC media to celebrate, showcase, promote, and ADVERTISE this first-of-its-kind exhibit. Goes to ask the question, “…where do all the diversity and inclusion, community development, and black revenue go?”
Organizations, such as The Nelson need to learn that diversity and inclusion are not enough in, and of themselves. There needs to be exposure and advertising to rebrand themselves as
‘…a place black Kansascitians can go to enjoy black art….’
Especially, since, it is a new thing. The Nelson is now competing, head to head with local galleries, like Natasha Ria Art Gallery, and KC Studio.
A shameless plug:
https://www.facebook.com/NatashaRiaArtGallery
We had tried more than 200 times (yes 200 times) to connect with The Nelson via LinkedIn and email, and though we have talked to numerous executives at The Nelson, it just seems that ‘the first black exhibit’ featuring their first black Kansascitians as artist, IS NOT BIG DEAL TO THEM.
Well, it’s a BIG DEAL to us Black Kansas City. Make sure you check this out, and though “they” may not support us, we need to support OUR OWN PEOPLE.
Visit here to see how to grab a virtual tour, get exhibit times, and get FREE tickets.
https://nelson-atkins.org/exhibitions/testimony/
See their Invitational Video here:
