Symposium

In Common: Romare Bearden and New Approaches to Art, Race & Economy

Nov 30–Dec 2, 2023

Two generations after the passing of American icon Romare Bearden in 1988, The New School’s Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics, the Romare Bearden Foundation, and The Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University combine forces to examine Bearden’s legacy under three distinct lenses: the impact of his activist work, especially his prints; the role of music in both his practice at large and the activist projects; and the resonance of his oeuvre in contemporary art making.

The multitier initiative In Common: Romare Bearden and New Approaches to Art, Race & Economy consists of a three-day symposium, an exhibition, and a forthcoming publication.Featuring contemporary creative works and perspectives from socially-conscious, politically engaged BIPOC artists and commentators, the symposium will draw on Bearden’s activist legacy to spotlight the potent, yet still-too-rarely-acknowledged relationships between race, culture, economy, and the Common Good.Through plenary discussions, live performances, and a striking new exhibition, we will investigate the themes of purposeful creativity, the artist as activist, BIPOC leadership in creative culture and economy, and much more.In Common: Romare Bearden and New Approaches to Art, Race & Economy consists of a three-day symposium, an exhibition, and a forthcoming publication. Together they consider Bearden’s legacy and the significance of his art to contemporary realities and circumstances facing Black and other communities of color. Confirmed speakers and performers include Dwight Andrews, Rocío Aranda-Alvarado, Black Quantum Futurism, Angie Kim, Robert O’Meally, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Fayemi Shakur, and Eddie Torres.

Full Exhibition and Symposium Guide HerePresented by the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School, the Romare Bearden Foundation, and the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University Newark.

Attendance is free, but space is limited to registrants only. We welcome you to register for some or all of the featured events and offerings here.

Exhibition is now on view through January 15, 2024

In Common: New Approaches with Romare Bearden

The exhibition In Common: New Approaches with Romare Bearden highlights Romare Bearden’s work as an artist, educator, scholar, songwriter, and social activist. Drawing from the Romare Bearden Foundation collection and other private collections, the exhibition presents a selection of works demonstrating Bearden’s keen exploration of race and racial stereotypes, often taking inspiration from history, literature, the Bible, jazz, and African American communities.

His work is complemented by six leading and emerging contemporary artists—Black Quantum Futurism, Kahlil Robert Irving, Lorraine O’Grady, Hank Willis Thomas, Mickalene Thomas, and Charisse Pearlina Weston—whose visions resonate with those of Bearden and contribute to a multigenerational dialogue on the political agency of art.

Open daily 12–6 pm EDT, Thursdays late until 8 pm
Opening reception: November 9, 6–8 pm EST
Parsons School of Design, Sheila C. Johnson Design Center, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Gallery
66 5th Avenue at 13th Street