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Virtual Seminar: Beyond the “Mask” with the Arts Council of the African Studies Association
Wed, May 14th at 12:00 PM
Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at 12 pm for a thought-provoking webinar discussion—“Beyond the ‘Mask’: Towards a New Paradigm of Collecting and Displaying African Art in US Museums”—that examines how museums can reshape their approaches to collecting and displaying African art through ethical transparency, inclusive narratives, and critical practices.
Inspired by the New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations exhibition (April 4–August 10, 2025) at the New Orleans Museum of Art, this panel explores case studies that honor artist agency, cultural authenticity, and global accountability by centering the voices of African artists and their communities. Beyond celebration, this dialogue challenges us to rethink, reimagine, and drive actionable change toward a more just and accountable future for African art curation.
This virtual event, presented in partnership between the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Arts Council of the African Studies Association, is free with registration.
Registration via the link below is required to receive webinar credentials before the event. Registration closes one hour before the event.
About the Exhibition
New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations spotlights the work of four contemporary artists working in cities across West Africa: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa, Sheku “Goldenfinger” Fofanah, David Sanou, and Hervé Youmbi.
The first presentation of its kind, New African Masquerades offers a rare look into contemporary West African masquerade by contextualizing the works of individual artists within a range of social, economic, and religious practices and examining their networks of viewership and exchange.