Museum of the African Diaspora Commemorates Ten Years of Its Rising Artists Initiative
**Museum of the African Diaspora Commemorates Ten Years of Emerging Artists**
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) in San Francisco is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its Emerging Artists Program (EAP) by revealing its 2026-2027 cohort. This initiative, which aids early- and mid-career creatives, features artists Jasmine Ross, Demetri Broxton, Dorian Reid, and Tahirah Rasheed, who were chosen from a diverse pool of applicants. Each artist will host a solo exhibition at the museum over the course of the year.
Since its establishment in 2015, MoAD’s EAP has empowered artists at pivotal career moments with fully developed museum exhibitions supported by curatorial and institutional resources. Key Jo Lee, MoAD’s Chief of Curatorial Affairs and Public Programs, indicates that the program stands out by immersing artists in a complete museum experience, encouraging ongoing public engagement.
Having assisted 30 artists in the last decade, MoAD is evolving the program to embrace a more residency-oriented model while maintaining an exhibition-centric approach. This transformation aims to amplify the reach of the artists’ work beyond the museum on both a national and international scale.
This year’s selection process emphasized conceptual clarity, technical proficiency, and each artist’s capability to sustain a full exhibition. The chosen artists are acknowledged not only for displaying objects but also for creating immersive environments that reflect themes of ancestry, memory, and Black futurity.
The program launches with Jasmine Ross’s “Beauty Plus” from March 18 to May 31, 2026, a photographic investigation of identity and community through the perspective of a historic Black-owned beauty supply store. Following her, Demetri Broxton showcases textile works that depict labor and resilience from June 10 to August 16, 2026. Dorian Reid’s exhibition intertwines personal narrative with broader struggles for liberation from September 30 to December 6, 2026, while Tahirah Rasheed concludes with neon installations that examine the themes of rest and the strength of Black womanhood from December 16, 2026, to March 7, 2027.
In line with MoAD’s curatorial philosophy, these exhibitions reject straightforward narratives in favor of intricate stories. The museum highlights an understanding of Black life as continually evolving, where ancestry and memory are perceived as disrupted and often elusive records.
As MoAD embarks on the next decade, the Emerging Artists Program is shifting its focus to not only showcase artists but also to cultivate lasting relationships, broaden long-term networks, and create opportunities, strengthening its platform for new voices and influencing the future of contemporary art within the African Diaspora.