In conjunction with the world premiere of The Language of Beauty in African Art, the Kimbell will host a suite of online and on-site programs that explore and celebrate the vibrant cultural traditions and diverse forms of expression throughout Africa. Programs include the long-awaited return of Family Festivals, dynamic monthly performances from guest artists and a day of free exhibition admission in celebration of Juneteenth.
Organized by The Art Institute of Chicago, The Language of Beauty in African Art is the Kimbell’s first major exhibition in 25 years to focus solely on works from Africa. The exhibition will premiere in Fort Worth on April 3, 2022, and continue its tour at The Art Institute of Chicago in November 2022.
Dates and details subject to change. Please visit kimbellart.org/calendar for up-to-date information.
FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Symposium
The Language of Beauty in African Art
This program inaugurates the exhibition The Language of Beauty in African Art. Priority admission reserved for Kimbell members who present a current membership card at least 30 minutes before the program begins. Auditorium doors will open one hour prior to the commencement of the program.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 10 a.m.
Pavilion Auditorium, simulcast in Kahn Auditorium
No registration required
Seating is limited.
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
Visions of Virtue: The Aesthetics of African Art
Constantine Petridis, chair and curator of Arts of Africa, The Art Institute of Chicago
Ìwà Àti Ewà: The Concept of Beauty among the Yòrùbá of West Africa
Babatunde Lawal, professor of African, African American, and African Diaspora Art, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Not All Beauty Is Divine: Masking, Nature, and Nurture on the Coast of Guinea and Sierra Leone
Frederick John Lamp, retired curator of African Art, Yale University Art Gallery, and lecturer in theater studies and the history of art, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Public Tours
The Language of Beauty in African Art
Learn about the current special exhibition during docent-guided tours that provide historical context, discuss overarching themes and highlight individual artworks.
APRIL 3–JULY 15
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS, 3 p.m.
FRIDAYS, 6:30 p.m.
Piano Pavilion
Space is limited.
The Language of Beauty: Second Saturdays
Join us for free afternoon events featuring guest artists from across Dallas-Fort Worth’s thriving visual and performing arts scene. Hosted in conjunction with the special exhibition The Language of Beauty in African Art, each unique program will celebrate vibrant cultural traditions and diverse forms of expression from Africa and the African diaspora.
SELECTED SATURDAYS, 2 p.m.
Piano Pavilion
No registration required
APRIL 9
The Poetic Storyteller: Oba William King
MAY 14
Bandan Koro African Drum and Dance
JUNE 11
Amphibian Stage Tad-Poles Stilt Dancing Program: Inspired by West African Traditions
JULY 9
Kinfolk House Artist-Led Workshop
Friday Evening Lectures
These lectures by distinguished guest speakers are held in conjunction with current exhibitions.
SELECTED FRIDAYS, 6 p.m.
Pavilion Auditorium
No registration required
Seating is limited.
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
APRIL 22
Defining Beauty: African Art through American Eyes
Christa Clarke, independent curator/scholar, arts of global Africa and affiliate, Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
MAY 20
Aesthetic Emotions of Masks and Masquerades in Africa
Zoë Strother, Riggio Professor of African Art, Columbia University, New York City
Wednesday Series: Art in Context
These free lectures, part of a continuing series, address a range of topics relating to the appreciation and interpretation of art.
Pavilion Auditorium
No registration required
Seating is limited.
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
MAY 11, 12:30 p.m.
Dancing Black Beauty: Ritual and Performance in African Sacred Arts
Elyan Jeanine Hill, assistant professor of art history, Southern Methodist University, Dallas
Film Series
Africa’s Great Civilizations
Henry Louis Gates, Jr., takes a new look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. This is a breathtaking and personal journey through 200,000 years of history, from the origins of art, writing and civilization itself on the African continent through the millennia in which Africa and Africans shaped not only their own rich civilizations but also the wider world.
SELECTED SUNDAYS, 2 p.m.
Pavilion Auditorium
No registration required
Seating is limited.
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
MAY 15
Origins (2017, 60 min.)
MAY 22
The Cross and the Crescent (2017, 60 min.)
JUNE 12
Empires of Gold (2017, 60 min.)
JUNE 26
Cities (2017, 60 min.)
JULY 10
The Atlantic Age (2017, 60 min.)
JULY 24
Commerce and the Clash of Civilizations (2017, 60 min.)
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Kimbell will offer free admission to the special exhibition The Language of Beauty in African Art on Sunday, June 19. Special thanks to the Nuestro Kimbell committee for their support of our community programs.
Juneteenth, established as a national holiday in 2021 through the efforts of Fort Worth’s own Opal Lee, commemorates the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery reached Texas.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19, noon–5 p.m.
Piano Pavilion
Free; no registration required
DISCUSSIONS AND WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS
Wednesday Workshop
Spark your intellectual curiosity and creativity during afternoon programs that combine thematic gallery tours with hands-on art activities for adults of all ages.
SELECTED WEDNESDAYS, 2–4:30 p.m.
Piano Pavilion, Education Studios
Registration required
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
MAY 4
Inspired by Africa: Shape and Form
JUNE 29
Weaving: Patterns and Their Meanings
AUGUST 10
Handmade: Between Utility and Whimsy
Artful Readings
Participants explore connections in the literary and visual arts through group discussions and special presentations on selected books.
SELECTED FRIDAYS, 5:30–7 p.m.
Piano Pavilion, Education Studios
Registration required
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
MAY 13
Arrow of God, by Chinua Achebe (1964)
JULY 29
What Is Not Yours Is Not Yours, by Helen Oyeyemi (2017)
KID AND FAMILY PROGRAMS
Family Festivals / Fiestas de la Familia
Amazing Art from Across Africa / Arte increíble alrededor de Africa
Celebrate art and community during free events that feature live performances, art making, gallery explorations and more! Admission for special exhibitions is waived during Family Festivals. Special thanks to the Nuestro Kimbell committee for their support of our community programs.
SUNDAY, APRIL 24, noon–5 p.m.
Free; no registration required
SCHOOL AND EDUCATOR PROGRAMS
University Evening
The Language of Beauty in African Art
Students and faculty from area colleges and universities are invited to explore the current special exhibition, participate in gallery and studio activities, enjoy light refreshments and win trivia-game prizes.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 4–6 p.m.
Piano Pavilion
Free; registration required
Daily sessions will feature staff-led presentations, gallery discussions and studio-art activities showcasing the variety of cultures, ideas and techniques represented in the museum’s special exhibition The Language of Beauty in African Art. Participants will create lesson plans to be shared on the last day. This program is open to all local educators but especially designed for studio art, language arts and social studies. The fee is $225 ($180 for Kimbell members); educators must register for all four days. CPE credits are available.
TUESDAY–FRIDAY, JUNE 21–24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Piano Pavilion, Education Studios
Registration required
Space is limited.
Masks are required in auditoriums and education studios.
MEMBER EVENTS
Members-Only Previews
The Language of Beauty in African Art
Members are invited to be among the first to visit The Language of Beauty in African Art at these free Member Previews. These informal events are wonderful opportunities to view the exhibition before they open to all on Sunday, April 3.
FRIDAY, APRIL 1, noon–3 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Piano Pavilion
No registration required (show member card for admission)
Members’ Exhibition Tours
The Language of Beauty in African Art
Learn about current special exhibitions during docent-guided tours that provide historical context, discuss overarching themes and highlight individual artworks. Members may invite one nonmember guest.
SATURDAYS, APRIL 16, MAY 21 and JUNE 25, 2 p.m.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information, contact [email protected].