In 1999, the African American Museum’s Board of Trustees named the Biennial Southwest Black Art Competition and Exhibition the Carroll Harris Simms National Black Art Competition and Exhibition for Professor Simms’ outstanding contribution to art and art education. 

The competition awards $1000.00 to one artist in each of the following categories: painting, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, printmaking and photography. One work is chosen from the category winners as the Best in Show artist. This artist also wins the opportunity to have a solo exhibition in the two years following the competition. The Best in Show artist agrees to donate a piece of their work from the show to the museum’s permanent collection.  

Join us for the exhibition Grand Opening featuring the works of our entrants.