Harlem Renaissance : the 20s

In the early 1900's, particularly in the 1920's, African-American literature, art, music, dance and social commentary began to flourish in Harlem, a section of New York City.  This African-American cultural movement became known as "The New Negro Movement" and later as the Harlem Renaissance.  More than a literary movement, the Harlem Renaissance exalted the unique culture of African-Americans and redefined African-American expression.  African-Americans were encouraged to celebrate their heritage.

The main factors contributing to the development of the Harlem Renaissance were African-American urban migration, trends toward experimentation throughout the country, and the rise of radical African-American intellectuals.

The Harlem Renaissance transformed African-American identity and history, but it also transformed American culture in general.  Never before had so many Americans read the thoughts of African-Americans and embraced the African-American community's productions, expressions, and style.

Choose a Subject:  

Depending on your interests, select one of the following Artists

NOTE:  This is a partial list.  Look at the Harlem Renaissance sites and books.  Feel free to choose whoever is of interest to you.  A brief proposal explaining your choice and how you would like to present his/her work to the class is due after the first library day.

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Research:

Click on "Sources"  and "Bibliography" in the blue sidebar to navigate the materials available for this project. 

	You will need to find the major events of the artist's life, including why he or she came to Harlem.
	You will also need to learn about your artist's work.  What characterized it?  What influences shaped it?  What impact did it have?
	As you look for facts, also locate images and sounds for your presentation.  You need to include examples of the person's work; photographs, recordings, performances, and/or printed materials.  Here is an example of a really neat way to present your project:                               We Didn't Start The Fire
	For information, use the sources listed in the Library site, including Encyclopedia Britannica, the U.S. History Database, Internet sites, and books.  You must use a range of sources.
	Take notes and keep track of your sources.  Material from the internet and from books  must be documented.  After you give your presentation, you will hand in a bibliography of sources used, following the MLA format.  Use NoodleBib.