On Friday, March 25, in Los Angeles at the Triennial Symposium of the Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA), Rowland Abiodun, the John C. Newton Professor of Art and the History of Art and Black Studies, received the ACASA Leadership Award.

Rowland Abiodun, Professor of Art and Art History and Black Studies

The ACASA confers its Leadership Award upon an individual whose accomplishments best exemplify excellence in the study of African and/or African Diasporic arts and/or whose innovative  contributions and vision have advanced the field. The award is presented every three years at the Triennial Symposium of African Art Awards Ceremony and consists of an appropriate memento, a citation and a lifetime membership in ACASA.

The main criterion for the honor is the distinction of contribution to the field of African and African Diasporic art, as measured by a lifetime of accomplishments in areas such as teaching, mentoring, research, curating, publishing, artistic expression, administration and service to the field. In addition, the individual should demonstrate generosity of spirit and collegiality, according to the ACASA. Candidates within and outside of the academic and museum communities are considered.

“As the first art historian from Africa to receive this award,” said Abiodun, “I’m deeply honored and humbled.”

Past recipients of the award include members of the faculty at Columbia University, the British Museum, Indiana University and Yale University.