Lecture Notes: The Harlem Renaissance and the Harmon Foundation

Introduction

• Funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the New Jersey Committee for the Humanities.
• Spotlight on young artists of Harlem.
• Announcement of the William E Harmon Foundation annual awards for Negro artists.
• Event held at Midtown Art Center, Manhattan.

Awards Ceremony

• Helen Griffiths Harmon presents awards.
• Gold medal for Painting awarded to Palmer Hayden, a former janitor.
• Harmon Foundation helps traveling exhibitions to reach 48 states.

Historical Context

• African-American artists in the 1920s and 30s faced segregation and limited opportunities.
• Many were excluded from universities and art schools, museums, and galleries.
• Harmon Foundation provided critical opportunities for black artists through exhibitions, prizes, and scholarships.

The Role of the Harmon Foundation

• Became de facto authority on African-American art.
• Operated for over a decade; dissolved in 1967, leading to the loss of many artists' legacies.
• Recent exhibition at the Newark Museum showcased over 130 works by Harmon Foundation artists.

Artistic Contribution

• Artists explored complex themes and human experiences during a time of societal constraints.
• Created works reflecting black culture, miscegenation, and a variety of voices.
• Challenged stereotypes of African Americans in art, moving past representations as minstrels or caricatures.

The Impact of Film and Media

• D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) distorted history and influenced public perception of black Americans.
• Blacks depicted as threats to society in mainstream media, further entrenching racist ideologies.

The Great Migration

• Between 1900-1918, over a million southern blacks migrated north, doubling the African American population in northern cities.
• World War I opened opportunities for blacks in factories and military service.
• Disappointment followed with the return from war, as racial oppression persisted.

The New Negro Movement

• W.E.B. Du Bois and civil rights leaders sought to improve the image of African Americans through art.
• The Harlem Renaissance emerged as a cultural and artistic celebration.
• Artists were encouraged to express their experiences and perspectives creatively.

Key Figures and Contributions

Alain Locke

• Argued for the freedom of artists and the importance of African heritage in art.
• Advocated for a new identity for African American art, promoting original and culturally rich expressions.

Aaron Douglas

• Prominent artist who created notable murals, shaping the visual landscape of Harlem.

Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes

• Both sought to express the complexity of black life and culture through literature and art.
• Hughes emphasized artistic independence from racial stereotypes.

Challenges Faced by Artists

• Many artists struggled financially, relying on teaching or other jobs to support themselves.
• The Harmon Foundation aimed to help artists become financially self-sufficient but faced limitations.
• Racial expressions in art often encountered barriers to acceptance in the mainstream market.

The Decline of the Harlem Renaissance

• The Great Depression impacted the funding and support for black artists.
• The 1935 Harlem Riot marked a significant decline in the hopes and dreams of the Renaissance.
• Despite the decline, the artworks produced during this era continued to resonate and inspire future generations.

Conclusion

• The Harlem Renaissance left a lasting legacy, showcasing the depth of black creativity and challenging societal norms.
• The importance of art in fostering social change and cultural identity remains relevant today.