ICA Exhibit Celebrates 50 Years of Black Boston Artists Collective

The African American Master Artist In Residency Program has supported local artists of color since the 1970s.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The African American Master Artist In Residency Program (AAMARP), a Boston-based collective that has provided free studio space and resources to artists of color for nearly 50 years, is the focus of a new exhibit at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA).

Why it matters

The AAMARP collective has played a vital role in supporting and elevating the work of Black artists in Boston over the past five decades, providing them with essential studio space and creative community during a time when access and opportunities for artists of color were limited.

The details

The ICA exhibit explores the history and impact of AAMARP, showcasing works by current and former members of the collective and highlighting its role in fostering the careers of numerous Boston-based artists of color.

  • AAMARP was founded in the 1970s.
  • The ICA exhibit on AAMARP opened on February 19, 2026.

The players

African American Master Artist In Residency Program (AAMARP)

A Boston-based collective that has provided free studio space and resources to artists of color for nearly 50 years.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)

A leading art museum in Boston that is hosting the exhibit on the AAMARP collective.

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The takeaway

The AAMARP collective's long-standing commitment to supporting and elevating Black artists in Boston serves as an inspiring model for how arts organizations can foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the creative community.