Boston's AAMARP Artists Collective Celebrated in New ICA Exhibition

The 50-year history of the African American Master Artist In Residency Program is explored in "Say It Loud: AAMARP, 1977 to Now"

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The African American Master Artist In Residency Program (AAMARP), a collective that has provided free studio space and resources to artists of color in Boston for nearly 50 years, is the focus of a new exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Boston. "Say It Loud: AAMARP, 1977 to Now" features over 50 works by 39 artists affiliated with the program, highlighting AAMARP's role as a critical hub for Black cultural production in the city that was often overlooked by major local museums.

Why it matters

The exhibition shines a light on AAMARP's historic significance as one of the oldest artist residency programs of its kind in the country. It contextualizes AAMARP's founding in the 1970s as part of the broader Black Arts movement, when Black artists created their own spaces in response to being excluded from major institutions. The show underscores AAMARP's lasting impact on the visual landscape of Boston neighborhoods like Roxbury and Dorchester through public artworks and murals created by its artists.

The details

AAMARP was founded in 1977 by artist Dana Chandler Jr. as a way to provide free studio space and resources to Black and brown artists in Boston. Originally housed at Northeastern University, the program has faced challenges over the years, including budget cuts, relocations, and a recent dispute with the university over the condition of its building. Despite these obstacles, AAMARP has hosted hundreds of exhibitions and community events, and has supported dozens of artists of color.

  • AAMARP was founded in 1977.
  • The "Say It Loud" exhibition opened at the ICA Boston in February 2026.

The players

Dana Chandler Jr.

The founder of AAMARP, who was an outspoken and dedicated advocate for uplifting art by Black and brown artists in Boston. Chandler passed away in 2025 at the age of 84.

Hakim Raqib

A photographer and long-time AAMARP artist who recalls first meeting Chandler as teenagers and buying one of Chandler's wooden "tiki" sculptures.

Jeffrey De Blois

The ICA curator who worked closely with Chandler and other AAMARP artists to organize the "Say It Loud" exhibition, shifting through archival materials and conducting interviews to rebuild the program's history.

Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

The museum hosting the "Say It Loud" exhibition, which is the first major local show to contextualize AAMARP and its impact.

Northeastern University

The university that originally housed AAMARP and has been involved in the program's turbulent history, including budget cuts, relocations, and a recent dispute over the condition of its building.

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What they’re saying

“That's why Dana pushed for [AAMARP]. He could have done this by himself, but he threw the net out to other artists who he knew deserved an opportunity to grow.”

— Hakim Raqib, Photographer and AAMARP artist (WBUR)

“Boston was a locus of black cultural production. There was a whole critical infrastructure for Black artists in Boston that was, by and large, ignored by the predominantly white museums in the city.”

— Jeffrey De Blois, ICA Curator (WBUR)

“This gave me a big opportunity to focus on my creative work and to teach young artists. I'm very proud to be a part of it.”

— Hakim Raqib, Photographer and AAMARP artist (WBUR)

What’s next

The future of AAMARP remains uncertain, as the program continues to face challenges with its affiliation with Northeastern University. A cadre of AAMARP artists are fighting to keep the program's doors open.

The takeaway

The "Say It Loud" exhibition at the ICA highlights the vital role AAMARP has played in fostering Black artistic expression and community in Boston over the past five decades, despite the program's turbulent history. The show underscores the importance of preserving spaces that empower marginalized artists and provide them with the resources to thrive.