Recognizing and Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival

RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL BLACK ARTS FESTIVAL -- (House of Representatives - July 23, 2008)

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of House Resolution 1286, recognizing and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the National Black Arts Festival.

The National Black Arts Festival was founded in 1987 after the Fulton County Arts Council commissioned a study to explore the feasibility of creating a festival dedicated to celebrating and advancing the work of artists of African descent. The study provided compelling reasons why the Atlanta community was the right place for such a festival, and with Fulton County government as the major sponsor, joined by additional corporate and foundation sponsors, the Festival's first biannual summer festival was held in 1988.

The 10-day event served as the country's first-ever summer festival featuring hundreds of artists of African descent. Half a million attendees took part in a triumphant celebration of African art, music and culture.

Over the last 20 years, artist and attendees alike have come to expect emerging and renowned artists to grace the stages and exhibit spaces of the city; collectors look eagerly to the artists' market for the next opportunity to buy from some of the best artists in the country; film fans flock to the screenings of known and unknown work; and concert halls are filled with the voices and instruments of those who are considered to be the best in jazz, gospel, R&B and everything in between.

As the festival established itself as one of the most important festivals in the world presenting the art and culture of the African diaspora, it seized the opportunity to expand the year-round educational and humanities programming in addition to hosting the festival every year.

The NBAF connects with people of all ages and races and celebrates diversity, while striking a common chord that resonates with all Americans like no other festival or arts organization. The festival is a cultural institution dedicated to serving artists, audiences, teachers and students by providing opportunities for artistic and creative expression and sponsoring educational and humanities programs to deepen historical and cultural understanding of African and African American culture.

To date, the NBAF has touched over 5 million people and is one of the premier festivals in the world. Today we honor it for its 20 years of dedicated service to the arts and education in the greater Atlantic area as well as to the country.

I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

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