Artists invited to express Marcus Garvey’s legacy with creativity

The Teaching Artist Institute (TAI) a respected hub for creative education, has issued an exciting public call: they are inviting artists and teaching artists who are members of TAI to participate in a special project—”Artistic Expressions in Honour of Marcus Garvey.” This initiative aims to celebrate the lasting impact of Marcus Garvey, a global symbol of Black pride, unity, and entrepreneurial spirit.

In its announcement, the Institute stated simply: “We invite TAI artists to honour Marcus Garvey through their creative work.” This quoted statement underscores the inclusive and inspiring tone of the call, welcoming diverse artistic interpretations that speak to Garvey’s legacy.

The campaign encourages submissions across multiple media: visual arts, performance, music, spoken word, and digital formats are all welcome. Participants are encouraged to draw on Garvey’s life and values—from his leadership of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the Pan-African flag he inspired, to his vision of economic independence and global Black solidarity.

Submission guidelines are clear and accessible:

1.  Open to all TAI members and teaching artists, whether emerging or established.
2. Works must reflect or respond to themes central to Garvey’s movement, such as empowerment, community, heritage, and resilience.
3. Both individual and collaborative pieces are encouraged.
4. Submitted artwork will be showcased in a public virtual exhibition and possibly featured in live gallery or performance events organized by the Institute.

The Teaching Artist Institute emphasized that this initiative is more than just a tribute—it is “a living dialogue between Garvey’s ideals and today’s creative voices.” By fostering artistic engagement, the Institute hopes to spark reflection, conversation, and new interpretations of Garvey’s enduring influence.

Artistic participants will benefit from:

1. Visibility through exhibitions and virtual platforms.

2. Community-building with fellow artists engaged in cultural storytelling.

3. Potential mentorship or professional development opportunities via the Institute.

The initiative reflects the Institute’s broader mission: to merge education and art in ways that root creative work in cultural insight and social relevance. As they noted, “Our teaching artists are educators and cultural storytellers—and Marcus Garvey’s legacy offers rich ground for exploration.”

Artists, educators, and cultural practitioners are encouraged to participate with the application details and deadlines. With this call, the Teaching Artist Institute invites creators to keep Marcus Garvey’s spirit alive through artistic innovation and shared expression.