Amiri Baraka Named 1998 Artist-In-Residence At NYU’s Institute Of Afro-American Affairs

Amiri Baraka, internationally recognized poet, playwright, novelist, essayist and social activist, will be the Artist-in-Residence at New York University’s Institute of Afro-American Affairs during March. In announcing Baraka’s appointment, Manthia Di awara, director of the Institute and of NYU’s Program in Africana Studies, said: "Baraka is an omnipresent griot of Black culture. Everything worth retaining in Black culture passes through him."

The Artist-in-Residence Program was established at NYU in 1996 as an annual opportunity to invite a Black artist of international reputation to the NYU community for seminars, public presentations, and meetings with students. At NYU in March, Baraka wil l lead discussions and panels on a range of subjects, including Black art, culture, and politics. Past Artists-in-Residence in the NYU program are novelist Walter Mosley and actress, playwright, and performance artist, Anna Deavere Smith.

A key figure in the worldwide Black liberation movement, Baraka –formerly LeRoi Jones—has written over 20 plays, including Dutchman, Slave Ship, and Primitive World. He has also written three jazz operas, seven books of nonfiction, two nov els, and thirteen volumes of poetry. He has been awarded numerous literary prizes and honors, including an Obie Award for Best American Play, fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and from the National Endowment for the Arts, the PEN-Faulkner Award, and the Langston Hughes Award from the City College of New York. Baraka founded and organized the Congress of African People, the Malcolm X Writers Workshop, and The Black Arts Repertory Theater School in New York City.

The NYU Africana Studies Program in the Faculty of Arts and Science is an academic program, and the Institute of Afro-American Affairs is a cultural community center that supports research and special events in Afro-American affairs. These distinct orga nizations share a common leadership, staff, and facilities, and are jointly committed to the study of Blacks and modernity.

All panel discussions scheduled* by Mr. Baraka as Artist-in-Residence will take place at 6 p.m. in Tishman Auditorium of NYU’s Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Square South, and are free and open to the public, as follows:

Wednesday, March 4

"Revolutionary Art & Cultural Revolution" - A discussion of the function of art and culture in social transformation

DJELI YA! Word Music…performance by Amiri Baraka & Blue Ark; Sekou Sundiata; and Felipe Luciano

Monday, March 9

4 p.m. Film - "Nation Time" by Bill Greaves (90 minutes)

6 p.m. "Strategy & Tactics of Black Liberation & American Revolution" - A discussion and analysis of the function of self-determination, revolutionary democracy, reparations, united front, the political party and socialism Panelists include: Kathleen Neal Cleaver, Chavis Muhammad, Ron Daniels, Manning Marable, Elombe Brath, Saladin Muhammad, Charlene Mitchell, Rosemary Mealy, Sam Anderson, and James Early

Thursday, March 12

" A Celebration of Margaret Walker" Participants include: Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Sandra Esteves, Eleanor Traylor, Mari Evans, Jerry Ward, and Clyde Taylor

Monday, March 23

"What Time Is It for Black Youth?" – A panel discussion identifying and differentiating Revolutionary and Reactionary "youth culture." Participants include: Ras Baraka, Sister Souljah, Lauryn Hill

Thursday, March 26

"Black Theater and Film and Music: What is the Continuing Significance of the Black Arts Movement to Contemporary Conditions: What is to be Done?" Performance: Music on My Mind: The Life of Willie the Lion Smith by Amiri Baraka and New-Arkestra. Panel discussion on Afro-American drama and film in the United States and worldwide. Panelists include: Miguel Algarin, Woodie King, and Marvin X

* Program is subject to change

2/19/98