The Met
Africa & Byzantium exhibition

Goal

Support Community Convening events in relation to The Met’s Africa & Byzantium exhibition, which explored artistic legacies in North and East Africa, engaging Black American, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Sudanese, Tunisian, Coptic, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Greek Orthodox communities.

Award

An Impact Grant to facilitate community discussions, including:

Reviewing The Met’s process for engaging with exhibition-related communities
Showcasing how curatorial feedback was incorporated into exhibition materials
Encouraging interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue beyond traditional silos
Brainstorming community-focused events and addressing participation barriers
Exploring sustainable partnerships with The Met

Rationale

The Africa & Byzantium exhibition sought to deepen public understanding of African and medieval art by integrating community voices into curatorial decisions. The Community Convening events provided a platform for direct engagement, fostering inclusive storytelling, cultural representation, and long-term collaboration between The Met and historically connected communities.