Naomi Beckwith
Naomi Beckwith has been awarded the 2024 David C. Driskell Prize by the High Museum of Art. The prestigious $50,000 award is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to African American art.
Currently, Beckwith holds the positions of deputy director and Jennifer and David Stockman chief curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum. Her extensive experience and dedication to promoting Black artists have positioned her as one of the leading Black curators in the art world. She will be recognized at the Driskell Prize gala at the High Museum in Atlanta on April 26.
The decision to honor Beckwith was praised by High Museum Director Rand Suffolk, who remarked, “Beckwith has a long and illustrious track record of championing Black artists and their contributions to the field, so it’s only fitting that we recognize and support her work with the 2024 Driskell Prize.”
Beckwith has over 15 years of experience in curating, with a focus on exhibitions that highlight identity, multidisciplinary practices, and the work of diverse artists, particularly those of African descent.
Throughout her career, she has curated numerous significant exhibitions, such as “Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Any Number of Preoccupations,” “Howardena Pindell: What Remains To Be Seen,” and “30 Seconds Off an Inch.” Her work also includes co-curating shows like “The Freedom Principle: Experiments in Art and Music, 1965 to Now” and “Prisoner of Love.”
Beckwith’s contributions extend beyond curating, as she has engaged in fellowships with institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia. She has also served in various capacities at esteemed organizations like the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago before assuming her current role at the Guggenheim.
The David C. Driskell Prize, established in 2005 in collaboration with the High Museum, recognizes individuals who further the field of African American art, honoring the legacy of artist and scholar David C. Driskell. Beckwith joins a distinguished list of past winners, including Mark Bradford, Amy Sherald, Kellie Jones, and Rashid Johnson.
The selection process for the prize involves nominations from a wide range of art professionals and experts, culminating in the recognition of outstanding individuals like Beckwith who continue to advance the field of African American art.
# Celebrating Naomi Beckwith’s Achievement in African American Art
Naomi Beckwith, the Manilow Senior Curator at The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, has been awarded the prestigious Driskell Prize for her outstanding contributions to African American art. This year’s 19th annual Driskell Prize Gala will pay tribute to Beckwith’s remarkable work in the field.
The Driskell Prize, named after the pioneering African American artist and art historian David C. Driskell, recognizes individuals who have made significant impacts on the field of African American art. Previous recipients of the prize include notable figures such as Valerie Cassel Oliver, curator at The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C., and Franklin Sirmans, director of the Pérez Art Museum Miami.
The upcoming gala will honor Beckwith, with proceeds from the event benefiting the David C. Driskell African American Art Acquisition Restricted and Endowment funds. Through the years, these funds have helped acquire 52 works by African American artists for the collection of the High Museum.
In a statement expressing her gratitude for receiving the Driskell Prize, Beckwith shared, “I am equal parts elated and humbled to receive the Driskell Prize. Previous recipients are my mentors, my models, and my inspiration, and I am truly honored to be included in this illustrious cohort and contribute to our shared mission of making the most expansive art history imaginable.”
Beckwith’s contributions to the world of art extend beyond her curatorial work. She has authored and co-authored several influential exhibition catalogs, including “Howardena Pindell: What Remains To Be Seen” and “Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Any Number of Preoccupations.” Additionally, Beckwith has edited catalogs for exhibitions such as Duro Olowu’s “Seeing Chicago” and “Grief and Grievance: Art and Mourning in America (from Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter).”
The impact of Beckwith’s scholarship and curation on African American art cannot be overstated. Her dedication to showcasing the work of Black artists and exploring the nuances of their experiences has been instrumental in shaping the art world’s understanding of diversity and representation.
As we celebrate Naomi Beckwith’s achievements, we acknowledge the invaluable contributions she has made to the field of African American art and look forward to witnessing her continued success in the future.
—
*IMAGE: Naomi Beckwith. | Photo by David Heald. © Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, New York*
**BOOKSHELF**
Naomi Beckwith has published numerous volumes, including co-authored exhibition catalogs and edited works that have significantly enriched the discourse surrounding African American art. Her collaborations on projects like “The Freedom Principle: Experiments in Art and Music, 1965 to Now” and “Radical Presence: Black Performance in Contemporary Art” have expanded our understanding of Black artistic practice and its impact on contemporary culture.
—
**SUPPORT CULTURE TYPE**
Do you enjoy and value Culture Type? Please consider supporting its ongoing production by making a donation. Culture Type is an independent editorial project that requires countless hours and expense to research, report, write, and produce. To help sustain it, make a one-time donation or sign up for a recurring monthly contribution. It only takes a minute. **Many Thanks for Your Support.**
