The Harlem Renaissance
Updated Oct 18, 2025
Through classroom and museum experiences, students will gain a better understanding of African American art history and broader history, making connections to Detroit today.
As students celebrate and appreciate the lives, accomplishments, and resilience of African Americans and African American artists, they will recognize that art and writing are tools for self-expression, change, emotional processing, and release.
This lesson is in support of Reimagine African American Art galleries.

James Van Der Zee,Couple in Raccoon Coats, 1932 (printed after 1980). Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Dr. Delano A. Willis
Through classroom and museum experiences, students will gain a better understanding of African American art history and broader history, making connections to Detroit today.
As students celebrate and appreciate the lives, accomplishments, and resilience of African Americans and African American artists, they will recognize that art and writing are tools for self-expression, change, emotional processing, and release.
This lesson is in support of Reimagine African American Art galleries.