The High Museum of Art in Atlanta recently announced the latest recipient of its David C. Driskell Prize.
Established in 2005, the annual award — named after renowned African American artist and art scholar David Driskell — honors individuals that make impactful contributions to the field of African American art and art history with a prize worth $50,000.
Selected as this year’s recipient is Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and chief curator at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and Museum.
Beckwith’s extensive career as a curator has spanned over 15 years, during which she has “organized dozens of acclaimed exhibitions” and “published landmark scholarship that explores the influence of Black identity and culture” on the work of global contemporary artists, according to a release.
At the Guggenheim, which she joined in 2021, Beckwith has overseen countless art exhibitions and collections across four international museums, including Venice and New York, among others.
Prior to joining the Guggenheim, Beckwith held curatorial positions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, where she helped showcase the work of several artists of color and other creators inspired by Black culture, said a release.
“Beckwith has a long and illustrious track record of championing Black artists and their contributions to the field, so it’s only fitting that we recognize and support her work with the 2024 Driskell Prize,” said Rand Suffolk, director of the High Museum of Art.
Beckwith will be honored by the High Museum of Art at the 19th annual Driskell Prize Gala on Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m.
During the event, the museum will recognize Beckwith’s achievements and present her with the $50,000 prize.
With being chosen for the David C. Driskell Prize, Beckwith joins past award winners like Ebony G. Patterson (2023), Adrienne L. Childs (2022), Jamal D. Cyrus…
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