Sthu Manaka

Celebrating its 11th edition, the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in New York features 30 galleries from 17 countries, including 15 first-time participants. The fair continues its partnership with Christie's and offers both in-person and online experiences through Artsy.

The African contemporary art scene is thriving, with increased global recognition for emerging artists, powerful leadership within institutions, and major investments in cultural infrastructure. From record-breaking auction sales to the rise of new museums, this momentum may define the future of global art.

Applications are now open for the 5th edition of Black Brazil Art's Virtual Artistic Residency and Mentorship Programme. With a decolonial focus and guided by the concept of “The Five Skins,” the initiative offers collaborative sessions and curatorial support, culminating in a virtual exhibition and participation in the Black Biennial 2026.

In rural Goiás, Brazil, artist Dalton Paula and scholar Ceiça Ferreira founded Sertão Negro, a transformative art school blending ancestral knowledge, ecology, and inclusion. The project supports underrepresented artists while redefining art as a communal, environmental, and spiritual practice.

Amy Sherald’s American Sublime, on view at the Whitney Museum from April 9 to August 10, 2025, presents nearly 50 powerful portraits. Her work challenges traditional American realism by centring Black subjects in poetic, dignified compositions.

Pharrell Williams presents FEMMES at Galerie Perrotin, Paris, from 20 March to 19 April 2025. Curated by the musician and creative visionary, the exhibition brings together nearly 40 international artists whose works honour the power, identity, and beauty of Black women.

The Pompidou Centre in Paris hosts Paris Noir, an expansive exhibition showcasing the contributions of Black artists from the African diaspora who lived and worked in the city between 1950 and 2000. With over 350 works on display, the show honours a legacy of resilience, innovation, and cultural exchange.

March 2025 witnessed pivotal moments in Black art, from groundbreaking exhibitions like "Paris Noir" at the Pompidou Center to concerning policy changes affecting cultural institutions. The art world also mourned the loss of esteemed figures such as artist Fred Eversley and Ethiopian art historian Elizabeth Giorgis.