About
The Driskell Center is a creative incubator dedicated to a world where Black artists exist at its center. We invite inquiry, experimentation, and dialogue to reexamine histories and shape shared futures.
We further a legacy. David C. Driskell devoted his life to mentoring Black scholars and artists, and creating spaces for their work to be seen. We continue his legacy by using our collections, programming, and annual fellowships to cultivate and advance the work of researchers, scholars, and artists.
We accelerate creative opportunity for all. A vital resource at the University of Maryland, we provide campus and global communities with access to one of the foremost collections of Black art and related archival materials—2,000 artworks wide and 50,000 archival objects deep. Our programming encourages active learning and engagement with these assets, advancing individuals in their unique journeys and increasing visibility and opportunity for past, present, and future Black artists.
We write the future. Our combined art collections, archives, and library capture the largely untold story of the extraordinary work of Black artists throughout American art history. Appreciating and engaging with the influential contributions of renowned Black artists and scholars—including Faith Ringgold, Alonzo Davis, Michael D. Harris, and David C. Driskell, among others—inspires the reassessment of prevalent narratives and the shaping of collective futures.
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Opportunities
Fellowships
The Driskell Center offers fellowships to artists and researchers who engage with the art collection and Archives as part of their original research. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future opportunities.
Internships
The Driskell Center is committed to providing paid internships to students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Our internships let you dive into hands-on experiences, sharpen your skills, and unlock amazing behind-the-scenes adventures. Interns work in the following departments: Collections, Archives, and Communications.
Student Employment
Student workers at The Driskell Center not only make an important contribution to the arts community at the University of Maryland, but also learn new skills and make new friends in the arts. You can check out our current opportunities for students on Handshake.