The Harlem Renaissance and the Harmon Foundation - Essay Example

of the of the Concerned Visual Arts and Film Studies 12 May The Harlem Renaissance and the Harmon Foundation The Harlem Renaissance, also called the New Negro Movement, happened to be an intellectual and literary resurgence that gave way to a novel black identity, sometime between 1920s and 1930s (Helbling 1). Considering the existence of racial oppression and the meager economic opportunities accessible to the blacks, creative expression happened to be the one freedom available to the African American community in the early 20th century.

Harlem Renaissance to a great extent owes it origins to the favorable socio-economic conditions between the I World War and the great depression, when the economy was booming and jobs happened to be plentiful (Helbling 10). This extended the requisite space and opportunity to the black creativity to flourish. It was the Caucasian real estate developer, William E Harmon, who evinced an immense interest in the African American creativity, and founded the Harmon foundation in 1922. The objective of Harmon foundation was to recognize and support African American achievements in the field of fine arts, literature, education, business, music, religious service, science, farming and race relations.

Harmon foundation played an important role in promoting racial tolerance and in bringing to limelight the contributions made by the African Americans to the national culture.Hale Woodruff, Langston Hughes, Palmer Hayden, Countee Cullen and Archibald Motley were some of the noteworthy artists that were extended recognition and support by the Harmon foundation (Aberjhani & West 147). Many artists and scholars accused Harmon foundation of being paternalistic and segregated in its approach as it celebrated the works of only African American artists (Aberjhani & West 147).

Harmon Foundation was also blamed for being condescending towards black artists (Aberjhani & West 147). Still, conclusively speaking, Harmon Foundation played an important role in bringing to fore the contributions of African American artists and luminaries. Works CitedAberjhani &West, Sandra L. The Encyclopedia the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Facts on File, 2003. Print. Helbling, Mark. The Harlem Renaissance. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. Pint.