California African American Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1981 |
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| Location | Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California |
| Type | Museum |
| Public transit access |   Expo Park/USC |
The California African American Museum (CAAM) is a special museum in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California. It helps people learn about the rich culture and history of African Americans. The museum especially focuses on stories from California and the western United States.
It's a great place to visit because admission is completely free for everyone! CAAM's main goal is to find, collect, keep safe, and share the history, art, and culture of African Americans. They offer many fun and educational programs. These include talks, workshops, and hands-on activities. They are for students, museum visitors, and the whole community.
Contents
History of CAAM
The California African American Museum (CAAM) was officially started by the State of California in 1977. It first opened its doors in 1981. At first, it was in a temporary spot at the California Museum of Science and Industry. This is now the nearby California Science Center.
The museum's first director was a talented arts supporter named Aurelia Brooks. The very first item CAAM collected was a beautiful bronze statue. It was a bust of civil rights leader Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. This statue was made by the artist Richmond Barthé.
In 1984, CAAM moved to its permanent home. This new building is also in Exposition Park. It's just south of Downtown Los Angeles. The first big exhibit there was called The Black Olympians 1904-1984. This show was put together by CAAM's History Curator, Lonnie Bunch. He later became the first director of the famous Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Museum Building
The current CAAM building was built with about $5 million. This money came from both the state and private donations. Two African-American architects, Jack Haywood and Vince Proby, designed the museum. The building opened to the public in July 1984. This was during the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The museum building is very large, covering about 44,000 square feet (4,088 square meters). It has three main areas for showing exhibits. There is also a theater gallery for performances and films. Outside, there is a big 14,000 square foot (1,300 square meter) sculpture court. This area is perfect for outdoor art.
The museum also has a conference center for special events. Plus, there's an archive and research library. This library has many books and materials for people to use. Behind the scenes, there are offices and storage areas for art and artifacts.
What CAAM Collects
CAAM's main goal is to find, collect, keep safe, and share the history, art, and culture of African Americans. The museum has a huge collection of over 6,300 items. These include amazing art, historical objects, and special memories.
The museum also has a research library. It holds more than 20,000 books and other materials. These are available for people to use for their studies. The permanent collection includes many types of art. You can see paintings, photographs, and sculptures. These items show the many important things African Americans have contributed. The collection ranges from ancient African art to 19th-century landscapes.
Besides its own collection, CAAM also hosts special exhibits. Some are put together using their own items. Others are traveling exhibits from different museums. This means there's always something new to see!
Educational Programs
The museum's Education Department offers many fun and educational programs. These are designed to help the whole Los Angeles community. Their goal is to provide exciting and informative learning experiences. They want to be a helpful resource for different communities.
These programs also help people learn more about the artistic, historical, and cultural contributions of African Americans. They also explore how other cultures connect with African American history, art, and culture. CAAM offers more than 80 different programs every year!
How CAAM is Managed
The California African American Museum has a budget of about $3.5 million each year. Remember, admission is always free! The state provides about $2.5 million of this money. A private non-profit foundation also helps. This foundation raises extra money through donations and other activities.
The museum's executive director is Cameron Shaw. The California Natural Resources Agency helps to oversee CAAM. They also oversee the California Science Center.
See also
Images for kids
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The logo for the California African American Museum.
