Bison at Basel Returns: Showcasing Howard’s Creative Legacy on a Global Stage
By Chad Eric Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts
Every December, artists, collectors, and cultural visionaries from around the world descend on Miami for Art Basel — and once again, Howard University will be there, shining bright.
From December 3–7, 2025, the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will return to Miami Art Week and Art Basel Miami Beach for our fourth consecutive year of Bison at Basel: a five-day celebration of Black artistic excellence, innovation, and community. Registration for Bison at Basel events is now open at givecampus.com.
This experience has quickly become one of our College’s signature cultural touchpoints. It’s more than a presence — it’s a statement. Howard creatives aren’t simply participating in global culture; we are shaping it.
“Bison at Basel is a celebration of Howard excellence and a platform for connection, visibility, and giving that advances our creative legacy on the world stage,” shared Dean Raquel Monroe.
Why This Matters
Bison at Basel is rooted in our mission: champion creative leadership, empower emerging artists, and honor the profound impact of Black cultural production.
Since launching in 2022, the initiative has grown into a vibrant hub for:
- Curated exhibitions and performances
- Thought-provoking panels and salons
- Alumni, student, and faculty showcases
- Professional development and mentorship
- Community-centered cultural experiences
It is one of the most visible and ambitious ways we amplify Howard’s artistic legacy — not just in conversation, but on the global stage.
"Participating in Bison at Basel, this opportunity allowed me to fulfill my lifelong dream of attending Miami’s Art Week,” said Robert X. Hudson, second-year CABCoFA MFA Art Studio student. “Bringing forth visibility to art curators, art collectors, and art appreciators from various backgrounds. Giving space for emerging artists, as myself, to build relationships and community that helps pour into my practice and show support every step of the way. It’s been a pivotal catalyst for the career trajectory I see within my practice and molding the legacy I strive to leave in the world."
Highlights for 2025
This year’s programming blends creativity, scholarship, and celebration, including:
- VIP Collector’s & Wine Salon Reception
- Student Art Exhibition
- Bison at Basel IDEAS Salon
- Alumni Showcase & Reception
- Book Tour with Dean Dana Williams
- Soul Basel Art Tour in Historic Overtown
- Basel After Dark: Howard House Party
Our students will not only exhibit work, they will sell it, build networks, and gain hands-on experience navigating the international arts world. Over the past three years, more than a dozen original student works have been sold at Art Basel, a testament to the power of opportunity and preparation.
How You Can Support
Bison at Basel represents Howard at its best — bold, brilliant, and building the future. Sponsorships directly support student travel, accommodations, exhibitions, and learning experiences, helping ensure that our rising artists have access to the world’s most influential cultural spaces.
“Supporting Bison at Basel means investing in the next generation of storytellers, innovators, and cultural visionaries,” said Ragan D. R. Royal, Associate Vice President of Individual Giving, Office of Development and Alumni Relations. “Philanthropy powers the experiences that elevate our students and expand Howard’s global impact.”
If you or your organization are interested in partnering with us to expand this impact, please reach out to our Development & Alumni Relations team at bisonatbasel@howard.edu.
See You in Miami
Whether you join us in person or follow along online, we invite you to celebrate our students, alumni, faculty, and partners as they share their talents with the world.
Howard isn’t just attending Art Basel.
We’re curating space, leading conversations, and writing the next chapter of Black creative excellence. Bison at Basel 2025 — Miami, we’re coming.