The Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization, CBAAC, was established by Decree No. 69 of 1979 following the successful hosting of the epoch-making Second Black World and African Festival of Arts and Culture, FESTAC 77 in Nigeria. The Center houses all the materials which constitute the core collections and those artifacts and rare cultural items that were used during FESTAC 77. The decision to hand over these materials to Nigeria was to reinforce and build upon the gains of the historic festival.
It was in fact in fulfillment of Nigeria’s pledge to keep the materials in trust for the 59 Black and African countries and communities which participated in the Festival that gave impetus for the establishment of the Centre.
Statutorily, the Centre is charged with the responsibility of promoting and propagating Black and African Cultural Heritage in its totality. The Centre has a strategic mandate and plays a key role in making Nigeria the arrowhead in the presentation, promotion and propagation of African cultural heritage. It is located along Broad Street on Lagos Island.
Vision Statement
To be the foremost agency to encourage, initiate, facilitate and coordinate the retrieval and restoration of the natural and cultural heritage of Black and African peoples for the purposes of protecting, preserving and projecting them for enhanced understanding and appreciation.
Mission Statement
To promote public interest, understanding and appreciation of Black and African Arts and Culture with a view to emphasizing the contributions of Black and African peoples to world civilization
Functions of the Center
The Centre shall be a multi-disciplinary institution and shall, subject to this Decree, have responsibility for the promotion of public interest in Black and Africans Arts and Civilization and for the preservation of such creative works of value: (a) of each participating country during the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Cultures 1977 or similar cultural manifestations; or (b) of any other country or individual where such creative work has emanated from or pertains to the 1977 Festival or similar cultural manifestations, donated to the Centre either directly or through the International Festival Committee of the 1977 Festival or hereafter donated to the Centre by any person or organization.
