Praise and Protest Exhibition Tour

Praise and Protest Exhibition Tour

From the 1930s through the 1950s, Chicago served as a powerful crucible of Black creativity, intellect, and political imagination. The extraordinary artists, scholars, and activists cultivated during this era, known as the Chicago Black Renaissance, reshaped American culture, boldly affirming Black identity and excellence while laying the foundation for future vanguards like the Black Arts Movement.

Told through the rare archival records preserved in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, Praise and Protest: Voices of the Chicago Black Renaissance invites you to explore this transformative cultural movement in an interactive gallery tour. The exhibition shines a light on a distinguished yet understudied history whose seminal literary, scholarly, and artistic explorations of Black life remain a vital beacon, guiding us to confront the systemic injustices that echo still today.

Lunch will be provided from 1:00pm – 2:00pm. 

Part of Court Theatre’s Spotlight Reading Series. Artwork by Brandon Breaux.