Greetings from the HBCU Digital Art Project (H-DAP) Team! Thank you for completing this "20 Questions" Survey that is designed to provide a high-level overview of each HBCU's Art Collection. We have also included a few preliminary questions to obtain identification information about each HBCU institution and the composite of your work team.
Your feedback is essential as we embark upon the creation process for America’s HBCU Digital Art Project, otherwise known as H-DAP. This groundbreaking technology-based art history project has a threefold purpose to: 1) provide digital access to select works of art from HBCU Art Collections nationwide; 2) correct the omission of Black artists from the American art canon by bringing to light the rich artworks that have been stewarded by the HBCUs since the 1800s; and 3) create opportunities for African Diaspora artists by including works by those who identify as African, African American, Caribbean, Latinx, and American Indian.
H-DAP will produce three significant deliverables for research, education, and cultural enrichment:
Phase I: A Digital HBCU Art Collections Directory designed to provide a high-level overview of each collection’s characteristics. After being permissioned by the HBCU President, HBCU Art Collection representatives will be invited to complete a "20 Questions" Survey and the results will be summarized in the Directory. The goal is to have 100% participation from all HBCUs. Timeline: Introduced First Edition on Martha's Vineyard August 2026 which included 33 HBCUs thus far.
Phase II: Education, Research & Scholars Materials designed to educate H-DAP representatives and H-DAP’s three target audiences: 1) Academic Institutions (K-12 through higher ed), 2) Appraiser Associations, Auction Houses, Museums and Non-profit Organizations, and 3) Corporate America Workforce and Career Development Teams. Training Materials and H-DAP Academy Courses will be offered beginning September 2026.
Phase III: An HBCU Art Collections Searchable Database of ~10 to 100 digital images from HBCUs who desire to participate and find it valuable to provide a sample of their collection’s fine art contents. Each HBCU will independently determine which of their artworks will be added to the database, sharing the priority of selecting works that are most relevant for education and research. Database Timeline: 2027 - Ongoing
Once H-DAP is implemented, partially developed and marginalized American art history will be made more complete. For this reason, it is essential that we seek out, discover and integrate works from HBCU Art Collections nationwide into America’s Art canon starting today. Thanks again for your responses as they are critical to help bring this project to fruition for your HBCU institution.
Section 1: Identification Information: HBCU Institution and President
Section 2: Identification Information: Art Collection Point of Contact
Section 3: Identification Information: HBCU Art Collection
Section 4: "20 Questions" Survey
- Art Collection Purpose, Mission Statement, and Education
- Art Collection Statistics
- Art Collection Classification of Artists and Artwork
- Art Collection Preservation and Risk Management