Big Plans in Texas - museum's 25th anniversary - Brief Article

American Visions, August, 2000

The African American Museum in Dallas has begun celebrating its 25th anniversary in a big way. Bill Cosby was the keynote speaker at the museum's 16th Annual Ball and Auction in June, and Museum Director Harry Robinson Jr. played host to such luminaries as country singer Charley Pride, artist and scholar David Driskell, noted San Antonio art collectors Harmon and Harriet Kelley, Fisk University President John L. Smith and fashion designer Anthony Mark Hankins.

While in the midst of a yearlong roster of celebration events, the museum has launched a Millennium Fund Campaign for $1 million. Donors of $2,000 or more will be recognized with a bronze plaque placed around the Millennium Fountain (which will be built at the ceremonial entrance of the museum). But wait; that's not all. Funds are being raised to expand or enhance existing projects (for example, the sculpture courtyard, the museum store, the folk art gallery, the children's center and the library research center) that will strengthen the museum's standing and make it eligible for accreditation by the American Association of Museums. (Of the 750 museums in the United States that are accredited by the association, to date, the Studio Museum in Harlem is the only accredited black museum.)

The anniversary celebration continues with an exhibit of three centuries of African-American art opening in September, a black women's conference in October, the Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in November, an African-American history conference in December, and the dedication of the fountain in January. Call (214) 565-9026 for more details.