'Black Creativity' focus of new MSI exhibit

In the 1960s, a group of moms living in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood were looking for ways to inspire their children.

“African-American kids didn't have places to go to see people who looked like them that would encourage them ‘Look what you can become,'” said design manager Angela Williams.

They reached out to the Chicago Defender, a local newspaper published for primarily black readers. The publication organized “Black Creativity,” a celebration of black achievements that has run at the Museum of Science and Industry for the last 40 years.

“Chicago was one of the first cities to recognize African-American contributions to the city,” Williams said. “Chicago is still one of the only cities that does this annually.”

Spread over two rooms, the exhibit “40 Years of Black Creativity” follows the evolution of the program from 1970 through today through displays of posters, photographs and video. “Black Creativity” was originally devoted to black arts, bringing in performers from local schools and universities along with famous gospel singers and the casts of musicals.

“It was a really simple exhibit, mostly an art show,” Williams said. “As it began to grow and gain more momentum, the museum wanted to bring ‘Black Creativity' in line with its own mission, which is science.”

In 1988, the Museum of Science and Industry worked with Citibank to develop “Black Achievers in Science,” which spent years touring museums, universities and corporate centers around the country. In 2007 the museum developed “Green Revolution,” which looks at black contributions to the environmental movement. The Smithsonian has since partnered with the museum to make it accessible nationwide.

Each room has two tables set up for kids to play. At one station, children can try to assemble a puzzle, which bears the image of a new bronze sculpture on permanent display at the museum. The plaque combines images of early African art with pictures representing African and black accomplishments in literature, architecture and science. Another table features a set of blocks that were very popular in a previous “Black Creativity” exhibit.

Kids also seem to like having their photos taken with Chemi the chemical engineer, a superhero created for the 2005 “Black Creativity” exhibit, which focused on engineering careers.

While “Black Creativity” now focuses on science, the museum hasn't abandoned the program's artistic beginnings. Through Sunday, March 20, the museum is also hosting a juried art exhibition, featuring more than 130 works by black artists from around the country. The display shows the best pieces chosen from more than 300 submissions. The wide range of works includes video, stone sculptures, bright-colored paintings and intimate photographs.

While “Black Creativity” programming previously only took place during Black History Month, the museum plans to spread the events throughout 2011.

Following the theme “Powerful: African Americans in Energy,” the activities will culminate in a new exhibit on alternative energy and blacks working in the field, which will open in January 2012. For a list of upcoming events, visit msichicago.org.

“40 Years of Black Creativity”

5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, (773) 684-1414, msichicago.org

<b>Hours:</b> 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Sunday, March 20

<b>Price:</b> Free with general admission of $15, $14 for seniors, $10 for kids ages 3 to 11