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We are brought together by our appreciation for the artistic and cultural contributions of African Americans.

The Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) is a CMA membership affinity group inclusive of all genders, ethnicities, and ages.

No matter the medium, African American art evokes a vibrant culture, an indomitable spirit, and a strong sense of place. As an affiliate group of the Columbia Museum of Art, the FAAAC offers museum members a chance to step behind the canvas and discover what compels these artists to create the work they do.

FAAAC membership privileges:

  • Access to private gatherings at the homes and/or studios of world-renowned creators of African American art
  • Opportunities to speak with artists about the stories behind their work and their creation process within their selected medium
  • Access to local and regional tours and events
  • Connection to a diverse group of African American art enthusiasts
  • Advance notice on special events through our monthly newsletter

You'll be in great company!

FAAAC Board Members

Get in Touch!

To find out more about the FAAAC, email us at faaac@columbiamuseum.org.

Join FAAAC

Add an FAAAC membership to your existing CMA membership:

$ 5 for Students

$15 for Avant Garde and Solo

$25 for other membership levels

Join FAAAC

Not yet a CMA member? Join today!

You'll have a chance to add the Friends of African American Art and Culture to your membership during checkout.

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Already a Member?

Looking for a way to give your affinity group some support?

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Upcoming Events

See all FAAAC Events
See all FAAAC Events

FAAAC Members Stay Connected

  • Enduring Spirit Awards

    The Enduring Spirit Awards honor the outstanding achievements of African American women in the Midlands who are working to improve their communities.
    They are named in honor of the work of Columbia artist Tyrone Geter who credits his mother as the inspiration for his art.

  • A Backstage Look at Art

    FAAAC members get up close and personal with visits to the private homes and studios of world-renowned artists

  • A Finger on the Pulse

    The FAAAC creates rich programming to keep you connected with African American culture in South Carolina. Not only that, they keep you informed of what's happening elsewhere in the region so you never miss a beat.

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Recorded January 16, 2023

FAAAC presents A Storytelling Celebration

Storytelling is an age-old tradition and source of inspiration for art from around the globe, but art can also inspire the stories shared by today’s raconteurs. Join CMA affinity group the Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) for a storytelling event celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the exhibition The Art of Elizabeth Catlett: From the Collection of Samella Lewis.

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Recorded June 2022

Modern Rhythms with CMA Curator Michael Neumeister

Honor a major milestone with the Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) and meet the CMA’s new curator, Michael Neumeister. The CMA affinity group celebrates Modern Rhythms, a new gallery featuring works on paper from the CMA Collection and showcasing FAAAC’s first-ever art acquisition — Oliver Lee Jackson’s Monotype IV (2006) — recently gifted to the museum. 

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Recorded January 17, 2022

FAAAC presents 30 Americans: A Storytelling Celebration

In celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and to bid farewell to the artistry of the 30 Americans exhibition on closing day, join the Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) for a storytelling event. Four storytellers tell stories inspired by the exhibition artists — Southern tales, city tales, and sure'nuf tales that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the beauty within Black art.

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Recorded September 6, 2020

FAAAC Presents Forever Beautiful: A Storytelling Celebration

Kwame Brathwaite’s photography popularized the political slogan “Black is Beautiful” throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, and it still resonates as powerfully today as it did at the height of the second Harlem Renaissance. To honor the work of Brathwaite, the history of the culture, and the continued importance of the message, join CMA affinity group Friends of African American Arts & Culture (FAAAC) as they bring together Black lovers of art to share their experiences and explore the impact and relevance of Brathwaite’s photography in today’s political and cultural climate.

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FAAAC celebrates a decade of service

The Friends of African American Art & Culture will celebrate its 10th Anniversary during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. One of three CMA affinity groups, FAAAC was officially established by the CMA Board of Directors in July 2011. Look for exciting new programming and a members-only event to commemorate this milestone throughout the year!  

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Past Events

An Evening with Kimberly Drew

In partnership with the University of South Carolina’s School of Visual Art & Design and the Department of African American Studies, the Friends of African American Art & Culture hosts an evening with Kimberly Drew. Learn about her experiences in creative careers and how she champions Black art and culture and advocates for radical art access. Drew is a curator, activist, and author of soon-to-be released Black Futures, an anthology of contemporary Black experiences, and This Is What I Know About Art, part of a young adult series featuring big ideas from today’s leading activists and artists. She most recently worked at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and has been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Glamour.

February 2020

Sip and Scribble

A soulful coloring book party with the FAAAC. Relax with friends, enjoy one free glass of wine, and color pages.

December 2018

Back to Our Roots: Celebrating African American Food Culture

The Friends of African American Art & Culture explored food culture across the African Diaspora and the benefits of plant-based eating in a unique twist on our annual meeting. The evening kicked off with a brief year-in-review followed by a conversation with local chefs, a food tasting, and music by Beyond the Deep. Featuring Chef Folami Geter of A Peace of Soul; Chef Saa of Rawtopian Bliss; Health Educator Bonita Clemons of Dianne’s Call; and KJ Kearney, founder of Charleston’s Red Rice Day (moderator).

May 2019

In Celebration of Dreamers

In this unique MLK Day celebration, the Friends of African American Art & Culture hosts a day of renewal to celebrate those who are keeping Dr. King’s dream alive — the doers, the change makers, the everyday people working to make our world a better place. Recharge by immersing yourself in art, culture, and community.

January 2019

Artist Talk with Winston and Rosa Eugene

The Friends of African American Art & Culture partners with McKissick Museum for an intimate conversation with self-taught African American potters Winton and Rosa Eugene. For thirty years, this husband and wife artistic duo has produced a body of functional wares and sculptural works that speak to Southerners’ shared experiences and seek to address issues that resonate with them. Hear about the couples’ artistic process and how they have sustained a thriving arts-based business. This FAAAC talk complements Place It / Face It : Pottery by Eugene, an exhibition on view at McKissick Museum through December 15.

October 2018

Wakanda Forever

Join the Friends of African American Art & Culture as we bring the cinematic experience of Black Panther to the CMA. The evening kicks off with a brief FAAAC year-in-review followed by an interactive conversation between Marvel Comics illustrator Sanford Greene and comic book expert and USC professor Dr. Qiana Whitted. Our journey to Wakanda doesn’t end there. Continue the celebration as we dance to the sounds of Afrobeat, sip on vibranium and heart-shaped herb cocktails, taste authentic African cuisine, and more. Wakanda-inspired attire encouraged.

May 2018

Sip & Scribble

Let your creativity flow with CMA membership affiliate Friends of African American Art & Culture (FAAAC) during Sip and Scribble. The coloring book party features pages designed by S.C. artist Maya Smith (who will be in attendance), a complimentary glass of wine, and smooth sounds of jazz and soul music.

October 2017

Remix-Redux Lecture

Innovative artists Michaela Pilar Brown and Colin Quashie discuss their creative processes as well as their respective works of art that the CMA recently acquired. Brown’s work, Speak No, uses everyday objects such as plastic soldiers and rhinestones to highlight the ways in which the black body is often seen as foreign and different in American society. Based on the popular board game, Quashie’s Plantation Monopoly retells the violent history of slavery through the memorable visuals of the game. Previously exhibited as part of REMIX: Themes and Variations in African-American Art and well-received by visitors, these pieces bring attention to the continuing discussion about race and culture in American society. Moderated by CMA Consulting Curator Porchia Moore.

February 2017

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Enduring Spirit Award Winners

The Enduring Spirit Awards honor the outstanding achievements of African American women in the Midlands who are working to improve their communities.

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What have we been up to?

Download the FAAAC's FY20 Annual Report to learn more.