Here Are 26 Organizations You Can Donate to That Support Emerging Black Artists, Thinkers, and Change-Makers

These organizations across the US aim to foster the careers of aspiring black creatives in a variety of ways.

A group of artists paint a mural of George Floyd on the wall outside of Cup Foods, where Floyd was killed in police custody, on May 28, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images.

As protests against the police killing of George Floyd continue to rock the US, people all over the world are reckoning with what they can do to directly support positive social and political change. Many have opened their pocket books to donate to progressive organizations that do legal work, push for political reforms, and pay bail bonds.

For those interested in supporting change in the art world, we’ve rounded up a list (ordered alphabetically) of 24 arts-focused organizations, that are supporting the work and career development of black artists, culture workers, and thinkers. Each organization listed belowmany of which were compiled by poet, designer, and creative director Annika Hansteen-Izora—is accepting donations.

Activation Residency

A New York-based residency, collective, and fund that serves and supports emerging artists of color. 

Afrotectopia

Afrotectopia fosters innovation at the intersections of art, design, technology, black culture, and activism. The organization hosts an annual new-media festival, summer camps for New York public-school students, provides college scholarships, and supports black-owned businesses. 

Arts Administrators of Color Network

This organization hosts annual conventions, a mentoring program, and professional-development events for arts administrators and artists of color. Recently, it set up the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund to help creatives who are financially affected by COVID-19. 

Art Hoe Collective

An online collective that provides a safe space for creatives of color. To donate, email [email protected].

Black Artists and Designers Guild

The Black Artists and Designers Guild combats the underrepresentation of black creatives in the art and design industries. The guild works to give artists opportunities for exposure and networking.

Black Artist Fund

10011 magazine—a publication that documents art and culture in New York City—recently launched the Black Artist Fund, which collects donations from both art lovers and raises funds through art sales, to directly benefit individual black artists and black art organizations across the U.S. 

Black Artists Network In Dialogue

This organization is dedicated to supporting, documenting, and showcasing the artistic contributions of black artists in Canada and internationally through exhibitions and a speaking series. 

Black Art Futures Fund 

A collective of emerging philanthropists promoting the elevation of black arts and culture. The group provides grants to small nonprofit organizations working to secure the future of the black art community. 

Black Girl Magik

A collective of artists and community organizers that hosts lectures, workshops, and events for women and girls from the African diaspora. To donate, fill out this form.

Black Lunch Table

The Black Lunch Table hosts roundtables of diverse art-world thinkers focused on critical race-related issues. The group also hosts Wikipedia edit-a-thons to expand entries about the lives and works of black artists. All BLT conversations are archived online.

Black Trans Femmes in the Arts

A collective that connects black trans women and non-binary femmes of the art world. Recently, the collective helped launch the Black Trans Protestors Emergency Fund to support black trans protestors with resources, medical care, and bail funds. 

Black Visions Collective

This Minnesota-based, queer- and trans-centered organization is dedicated to dismantling systems of violence. It works with black communities, including those in the art world, and helps promote investment in black leaders across diverse career fields.

Black Women’s Blueprint

This group, which runs the Museum of Women’s Resistance in Brooklyn, seeks to realize an equitable future for black women, including those in the arts.

Black Youth Project

The Black Youth Project aims to elevate the voices of young urban black millennials through storytelling and community-building projects. 

Bklyn Boihood

A creative collective for queer boys of color who lead art projects in communities across the US and Canada. To donate, Venmo @bklynboihood.

Brown Art Ink

This community incubator supports black and Latinx artists through paid opportunities to show work in museums, galleries, and public spaces. The organization also offers professional training in skills required to build a career in the arts. To donate, email [email protected]

By Us For Us

This collective of queer, femme, non-binary artists and organizers of color hosts events dedicated to investigating and dismantling systems of oppression.

East Bay/Oakland Relief Fund for Individuals in the Arts

Organized by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, this fund makes unrestricted grants of up to $2,000 directly to artists, teachers, and nonprofit arts workers from unserved communities that are especially financially vulnerable following the coronavirus pandemic.

(Fem)power 

This Miami-based collective organizes online events to promote the work of black and brown feminist artists. 

Harlem Arts Alliance

The Harlem Arts Alliance is a network of established and emerging visual and performing artists, businesses, and institutions that partners with major arts institutions in New York to increase its members’ visibility.

Life Pieces to Masterpieces 

This organization provides opportunities for young black men and boys to express their creativity through art programs. 

The Sphinx Organization

This is a Detroit-based social justice organization dedicated to transforming lives through the power of diversity in the performing arts (with an emphasis on classical music), through education, career development and performance-based initiatives.

Spicy Zine

Spicy Zine is a collective of women and queer/trans people of color working at the intersection of art, organizing, and publishing. To donate, click here.

Tessera Arts Collective

TAC supports womxn (including queer, trans, femme and non-binary) abstract artists of color in the Greater Philadelphia area and nationwide by providing opportunities, resources, and programming that elevates their work and practice. To donate, click here and here.

Women’s Center For Creative Work

This LA-based organization hosts residencies and events for artists dedicated to the idea that art either transforms or upholds the status quo.


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