Bearden was a renowned member of the art world and exhibitions of his work were held in museums and galleries around the country. He was also a major force in the cultural life of Harlem, joining the Harlem Artists Guild and working in studios on 125th Street, the “Main Street” of Harlem. He was a founding member of the Spiral group of African-American artists in the 1960s, and for the rest of his life was deeply involved in the Harlem Cultural Council, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the Studio Museum. In addition, even as he became a famous artist, Bearden worked for the New York City Department of Social Services from 1935 through 1969, gaining firsthand knowledge of the struggles faced by ordinary people in the city. Bearden enjoyed working in many media, including oil painting, collage, watercolor, public murals, cover art for writers and publishers, poetry, music, and even children's books. His works are in major collections and museums around the world.