Northwest African American Museum

Northwest African American Museum
Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) in 2008
Map
Former name
Colman School
Established2008
Location2300 S. Massachusetts Street
Seattle, Washington
Coordinates47°35′20″N 122°18′06″W / 47.58889°N 122.30167°W / 47.58889; -122.30167
TypeAfrican American, art, history, culture
ArchitectDonald King and Rico Quirindongo (museum conversion)
James Stephen (school)
Public transit accessBeacon Hill Station
King Street Station
Websitewww.naamnw.org
Designated2009
Reference no.122950

The Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) serves to present and preserve the connections between the Pacific Northwest and people of African descent and investigate and celebrate Black experiences in America through exhibitions, programs and events. The museum is located in Seattle, Washington's historically African-American Central District neighborhood in the former Colman School (built 1909),[1] with official status as a City of Seattle landmark.[2] The building also contains 36 units of affordable housing.[3]

The museum reopened after being closed for about three years due to the challenges the COVID19 pandemic.[4] While the physical buildings were closed to the public, the museum remained active throughout that time.[5] The museum reopened on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - January 16, 2023.[6]  2023 exhibits include: "Colors of Life- African American Abstract Art and the Regathering of Community", which features the work of four Black Pacific Northwest artists: Showcasing abstract art featuring the works of Northwest artists: Vincent Keele, Shantell Jackson, Lo Mar Metoyer, and Yeggy Michael. Other current exhibitions are "Freedom of Expression", which showcases visual artistic expression produced by artists of African descent residing in the Pacific Northwest, "challenging any misconception of what “Black” art is or is not" (NAAM Website), and "A Long Walk to Hope: Exploring Seattle’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual March Through Photos", which features the photography of Susan Fried.

  1. ^ Mulady, Kathy (2006-06-02). "African American Museum heading toward reality". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  2. ^ "Department of Neighborhoods". cityofseattle.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21.
  3. ^ Jones, Jeanne Lang (2007-09-20). "Seattle architect Donald King's DKA firm concentrates on community projects". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  4. ^ "- ConnectSU". seattleu.campuslabs.com. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  5. ^ Bunker, Leila. "Northwest African American Museum Celebrates Reopening and Black Empowerment". The Spectator. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
  6. ^ "Art speaks to the power of Black resistance, resilience and joy". The Seattle Times. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-02-24.