The 24 Hour a Day Life of Benny Andrews, 1974

The artist, educator, and activist Benny Andrews (1930–2006) is remembered today for his intimate portraiture and fantastical scenes of American life. In 1969, Andrews was among the artists who founded the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition (BECC) in response to The Met’s controversial exhibition “Harlem on My Mind.” The group challenged the authority of mainstream cultural institutions and helped establish alternative arts-education programs in correctional facilities across the country. This rarely seen documentary features Andrews in candid conversation about funding in the arts, increasing access to higher education for under-served communities, and what it means to “make it” as an artist in America.

Film preservation services by BB Optics, Inc.

Learn more about Benny Andrews: https://www.bennyandrews.com/

Find works by Andrews in The Met collection: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search#!?q=Benny%20Andrews&perPage=20&sortBy=Relevance&offset=0&pageSize=0

Research the Black Emergency Cultural Coalition: https://archives.nypl.org/scm/20908

Read more about the controversy around “Harlem on My Mind”: https://www.metmuseum.org/blogs/now-at-the-met/2021/harlem-on-my-mind

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