Founded in 2013, the Black Woman is God (BWIG) explores the intersectionality of race, age and gender and examines Black women’s contributions to American society as artists, healers and social change-makers. Our programs promote social justice, foster the artistic and economic evolution of Black art and culture and heighten the visibility of Black women artists, a group with limited access to the financial resources needed to exhibit, screen, perform or stage their work.
BWIG’s annual programs and services improve the overall financial condition of Bay Area Black women artists. We organize an annual month-long series of arts events, including a curated visual arts exhibition, music and dance performances, film screenings, interpretive panel discussions and a workshop series covering topics that educate, heal and develop Black women artists. Our programs provide paid employment opportunities to Black women artists working in all media.
BWIG’s multi-disciplinary arts programs develop Black women audiences for Black women artists’ work. We organize capacity-building workshops and panel discussions that advance Black women artists’ professional careers. Our quarterly newsletters inform California-based artists about available cultural resources, such as artist calls for exhibitions and film festivals, workshops, grant deadlines and residencies.
We are committed to building a regional network that advocates for Black women artists’ increased access to major exhibition spaces, performing venues and to public funding.