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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 researchers, scholars, and artists. 

We accelerate creative opportunities for all. As a creative incubator at the University of Maryland, we provide University and global communities with access to one of the foremost collections of Black archival art—2,000 art objects wide and 150,000 archival objects deep. Our programming encourages active learning and engagement with these assets, which advances individuals in their unique journeys as well as visibility and opportunity for past, present, and future Black artists. 

We write the future. The caliber of our combined art collections, archives, and library captures the untold story of the extraordinary work of Black artists throughout American art history. Beholding and engaging with the influential work of Faith Ringold, Alonzo Davis, Michael D. Harris, David C. Driskell and other renowned Black artists and scholars inspires the reexamination of histories and the shaping of shared futures.

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.