Welcome to The Current Corner!
In this series of videos, you’ll hear from The Current committee (sometimes paired with artists in the region) sharing about works from TAM’s permanent collection as they align with The Current, An Artist Award. In this video, Current committee member, Salena Hill , will be discussing Jacob Lawrence’s “Aspiration.”
Going into its second year, The Current, An Artist Award Program is one of a kind in the region, establishing an unrestricted financial award for a Black artist living and working in Tacoma. The Current is an opportunity to honor the ongoing contributions and artistic landscape of Black artists in the South Sound by generating recognition, providing connectivity, and strengthening our region’s creative ecology.
The Current is an annual, unrestricted award providing financial and institutional support to a Black artist living and working in the Tacoma area. In recognition of artistic excellence and future promise, the awardee will receive a $15,000 unrestricted gift. Additionally, the awardee has the option of receiving various forms of support from the institution: whether that be career and artistry support or designing a program — all would include the full support of the Museum’s facilities, staff expertise, and labor. This dual investment champions the awardee directly and proliferates resources for the artist’s community, providing resources and strengthening networks that make creating art easier for Black artists.
Jacob Lawrence (born Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917; died Seattle, Washington, 2000)
“Aspiration,” 1988
Color lithograph on paper
Gift of the Washington Art Consortium through a gift of Safeco Insurance, a member of the Liberty Mutual Group