The Museum of African American Art was established as a nonprofit museum in 1976 by noted artist and art historian Dr. Samella Lewis and a group of academic, artistic, business, and community leaders. Their goal was to increase public awareness of and support for the artistic expression of African Americans and other African descendant people.

The Museum of African American Art is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of art by or about people of African descent and their contributions to world culture. We strive to present engaging exhibits and programs in which artists and their works inspire new thinking about issues that intersect with the experiences of people throughout the African diaspora. MAAA proudly serves as an exhibit venue for emerging artists, a community event space, and a field trip destination for students from local schools.