Romare Bearden was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bearden began studying first at Lincoln University before transferring to Boston University and finishing his studies at New York University in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Bearden contributed cartoons and articles for several publications during and just after college, and the artist worked as a social worker with the New York City Department of Social Services from the mid-1930s through the 1960s. Heavily involved with the establishment of several important African American art establishments and initiatives, Bearden is recognized for his great contributions to visual art as well as for his writings and advocacy. The artist is represented in numerous museums throughout the United States included the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Detroit Institute of the Arts, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and the National Gallery of Art. In 1987, Bearden was presented with the National Medal of Arts from President Ronald Reagan.
