Discovering BIPOC History in Salem

We’re excited to finally announce a BIPOC history exhibition we’re working on for Salem’s 400+ anniversary at Old Town Hall which will open the last week of August, and to announce a call for BIPOC artists to participate.

One of the goals of the exhibition is to establish BIPOC presence in early Salem and establish historical belonging that ties into present day belonging. The exhibition will show the history and intersectionality of BIPOC people in the Old China Trade era (1783-1844), a time when Salem became a well known city, and contrast present day BIPOC communities, organizations, and initiatives.

This exhibition is now being prepared with the consultation of BIPOC historians and with an advisory panel of diverse community members, including youth members from Salem high and Salem Academy.

We are looking for four to five BIPOC artists ideally in the North Shore to respond to the theme of past and present belonging. Following the open call, selected artists will be given the historical material and work with the Coalition to plan the creation of new work or select existing work that fits the theme. There is a $150 honorarium per artist.