THE HARMON FOUNDATION
In 1926, the Harmon Foundation, founded by philanthropist William Elmer Harmon, began recognizing African-American achievements in music, the visual arts, literature, industry, education, race relations, and science. In 1928, the foundation sponsored the first exhibition of works created solely by African-American artists. The latest winners were then sent on tours across the country. The “Harmon Traveling Exhibition of the Work of Negro Artists” brought brought attention to poet Langston Hughes, and his work, along with 148 other artists and writers in an illustrated catalogue. The sponsored exhibitions and tours soon gave these black artists a national audience ("The Harmon Foundation.")