H. Res. 1286 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

July 23, 2008. 

Whereas the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) is a nonprofit cultural institution based in Atlanta, Georgia, that 

celebrates the artistic contributions of people of African 

descent and their impact on world cultures; 

Whereas the mission of the NBAF is to engage, cultivate, 

and educate diverse audiences about the arts and cultures 

of the African Diaspora and provide opportunities for artistic and creative expression; 

Whereas the NBAF was founded in 1987 after a study commissioned by the Fulton County Arts Council found an 

unmet need for a festival celebrating and advancing the 

work of black artists; 

Whereas the study provided compelling reasons why the Atlanta community was the right place for such a festival, 

which led local government and civic leaders to help establish the NBAF and present the first summer festival 

in 1988; 

Whereas, in July 1988, the 10-day event served as the country’s first-ever summer festival featuring hundreds of artists of African descent, where 500,000 attendees took 

part in a triumphant celebration of African art, music, 

and culture; 
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•HRES 1286 EH 

Whereas, over the last 20 years, the NBAF has connected 

with people of all ages and races and celebrated diversity 

while striking a common chord that resonated with all 

Americans like no other festival or presenting arts organization; 

Whereas the organization has evolved into a year-round cultural institution dedicated to serving artists, audiences, 

teachers, and students by providing opportunities for artistic and creative expression and sponsoring educational 

and humanities programs to deepen historical and cultural understanding; 

Whereas the NBAF has a global perspective, celebrating the 

contributions of people of African descent and their impact on world cultures, as well as recognizing the great 

diversity of the African diaspora throughout the world; 

Whereas festival programming is carefully chosen to ensure 

that ‘‘three generations are at the table’’, recognizing the 

need to appeal to a broad range of ages; 

Whereas the mission of the NBAF has given the organization 

a clear focus and understanding of its niche, which has 

allowed the NBAF to succeed locally and nationally; 

Whereas dedicated volunteers, consistently high quality work, 

and continued support from the funding community has 

enabled the NBAF to stand above its peers; 

Whereas the NBAF adds a unique and necessary dimension 

to Atlanta’s cultural landscape as one of the city’s leading art institutions; 

Whereas the NBAF has touched more than 5,000,000 people 

through music, dance, theater, film, visual arts, literary 

arts, and family events over the past 2 decades; 
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•HRES 1286 EH 

Whereas the NBAF has become the premier festival of its 

kind in the United States; and 

Whereas the 20th anniversary of the first summer festival 

provides an occasion to honor the importance of the 

NBAF in its cultural fabric of greater Atlanta and all of 

America: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes the important role that arts and arts 

education plays in the lives of millions of Americans; 

(2) recognizes the continuing contributions and influence of African-American art work to America’s cultural life; 

(3) urges all citizens to support efforts to strengthen artistic training and appreciation in schools; and 

(4) recognizes the 20th anniversary of the National 

Black Arts Festival. 

Attest: 

Clerk.