The California African American Museum (CAAM) is set to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s first state-supported museum dedicated to African American art, history, and culture. Founded in 1977, CAAM has become a vital institution in Los Angeles, California, emphasizing the complexities of race and history in America.
CAAM’s Historical Significance
Established by the State of California, CAAM’s permanent home in Exposition Park opened in 1984, featuring the pioneering exhibition “The Black Olympians, 1904–1984,” curated by Lonnie Bunch, who later became the head of the Smithsonian Institution. Over the years, the museum has tackled critical themes, such as the relationship between Black Californians and public space, and has challenged prevailing narratives about California’s history, especially during the Gold Rush era.
Current exhibitions include “Free and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation” and a showcase of Langston Hughes’ lesser-known travels in the American West, reflecting CAAM’s commitment to exploring diverse aspects of African American culture.
Leadership Insights from Cameron Shaw
In an exclusive interview with ARTnews, CAAM’s executive director Cameron Shaw, who has been with the museum since 2019, shared her vision for the institution. Shaw emphasized the importance of balancing the museum's mission with practical needs, stating, “We have to be as visionary in 2026 about what a Black institution can be as our founders were in 1977.”
