DIA's Friends of African and African American Art

10/08/2025

10/08/2025

Join FAAAA on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm as we celebrate the opening of the DIA’s relocation of the African American Art galleries. If it’s your first time at the DIA or if you are already a supporter, it’s a great time to visit the various pieces of PHENOMENAL African American Art in its NEW location!

FAAAA will mark the occasion with an evening of celebration, celebration, culinary offerings, and of course the chance to see first-hand the reinstallation of the African American galleries. Buy your tickets TODAY!!! The link to purchase tickets is in our bio. We look forward to hosting you on October 18th!

08/26/2025

Join FAAAA on Wednesday, August 27th as we host our 63rd Annual Meeting with special guest lecturer Anita Bates. The event will take place at the DIA lecture hall and begin at 6:00 pm. We hope to see you there!

08/03/2025

Join us for The Art & Culture of Eating, a special evening featuring Jamila Robinson, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit and Epicurious and one of today’s most influential voices at the intersection of food, art and culture.

A native Detroiter who grew up visiting the DIA, Robinson brings visionary leadership to food media, shaping conversations that explore how food expresses identity, tells stories, and brings communities together.

The evening features an intimate on-stage conversation with Rochelle Riley, longtime journalist and Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Detroit and a reception immediately following.

Tuesday, August 5th
Detroit Film Theatre, DIA

6 p.m. Free public lecture

7 p.m. Private reception with Ms. Robinson

R.S.V.P. for the lecture and purchase reception tickets at links in bio.

05/22/2023

The DIA, in partnership with Spot Lite Detroit and Jerk X Jollof, presents this mid-week After-work mixer and dance party to celebrate the upcoming James Barnor exhibition at the DIA – James Barnor: Accra/London A Retrospective.

The DJ will be spinning music infused with high life and afro-rhythms which were popular in Accra and dear to Barnor. The event will also feature live drummers and a West African dance performance, along with food trucks slinging authentic African and African-inspired cuisine.

Mixer: 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Dance Party: 8:00pm – 2:00am

Come early…stay late!

05/19/2023

The DIA proudly presents the exhibition, James Barnor: Accra/London—A Retrospective, a comprehensive survey of the work of Ghanaian photographer James Barnor whose career spans more than six decades.

Opening May 28, 2023

02/11/2023

The Friends of African and African American Art invite you to the 30th Annual Alain Locke Awards on Saturday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m. in Kresge Reception at the Detroit Institute of Arts.

The Alain Locke International Award will be presented this year to Detroit-born photographer Ming Smith. Valerie Mercer, Curator and Department Head of the Center for African American Art, will lead Smith in a conversation about her photography and career.

The local Alain Locke Recognition Award will be presented to Detroit artist and longtime member of the Detroit Fine Arts Breakfast Club, Henry T. Heading.

Tickets are going fast so head to the link in our bio to reserve your tickets while they’re still available!

12/09/2022

A few more moments from our Art Basel Miami trip!

12/02/2022

The group had a great visit at ! We had the opportunity to view ’s show.

09/14/2022

The Friends of African and African American Art will present its 2022 Margaret Herz Demant African Art Award to Professor Benedict O. Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). 

Please join us on Sunday, September 25th, for an award ceremony honoring Professor Oramah for his contributions to promoting and collecting African art, both in Africa and internationally. 
  
Professor Oramah's talk will focus on how Afreximbank's programs are bolstering the creative industries in Africa through strategic investment. He will also explore how their current programs can benefit the promotion and exhibition of works by African artists in the Diaspora. 

This event is open to the public; however, seating is limited, and advance registration is required. Please follow the link in our bio to reserve your ticket to the ceremony and lecture.