Savannah African Art Museum

Mission statement

Our mission as a nonprofit is to introduce all audiences to African art and culture and to provide engaging experiences that educate and spark conversations about the power, diversity, and spirituality of African art.

Who We Are

Savannah African Art Museum (SAAM) is a nonprofit organization located in Savannah’s Historic District(201 E 37th St, Savannah, GA 31401), free to the public, working to offer knowledge of West and Central African traditions through art and provide engaging experiences that educate and start conversations about the culture, and spirituality of African art.

Why to visit

Free admission for everyone. Deepens knowledge of African culture and its contribution to the world.

provides a deeper cultural experience for cultural enthusiasts. Guided art tours, educational insight on African Traditions and symbolism. Welcoming Environment for learning and cultural appreciation.

This exhibition will mainly cover agricultural practices and beliefs in Burkina Faso and Mali, which are within the savanna and forest areas of the Western Sudan region (South Saharan). Most of these lands can be difficult to cultivate, to control, so the farmers in these regions have to continuously strike a bargain with the spirits of the uncultivated terrain. This happens through unique festivals, ceremonies, and agricultural societies, which will be the topic of this exhibition.

The wilderness is significant in many African cosmologies because it is the inverse of culture – so by describing its characteristics, the ideal characteristics of African society can be defined. Many communities are organized into three realms, the spiritual, the physical, and the inbetween. The physical realm is the controllable realm – it is orderly, governed by laws, and includes cultivated fields and domesticated animals. The wilderness is beyond human control so it is unpredictable, potentially dangerous, but there are powers to be harnessed as it can also be a source of medicine, sustenance, and wisdom. This exhibition will present a brief overview of the beliefs associated with the wilderness and the agricultural practices that follow, to show how these concepts translated into social experiences and visible form through selected artifacts from the Savannah African Art Museum.

Backgrounder

History

The Savannah African Art Museum is a nonprofit established in 2016. The museum began with a private collection of pieces collected by Don Kole, over 30 plus years who had an interest in African art that grew from traveling and creating relationships with different cultural communities.

While the art work was donated from Don Kole's personal collection, the museum has always been presented to the public as a nonprofit. The collection was shared to support the museum's educational mission, making the art accessible to the community through exhibits, programs, cultural engagement opportunities rather than keeping the art pieces in private hands.

Mission

The mission of the Savannah African Art Museum is to introduce people of all ages to the richness and diversity of African art and culture. The museum aims to educate visitors about the meaning, symbolism, and cultural significance behind the objects on display, while encouraging dialogue and cross-cultural understanding. At its core, the museum exists to celebrate African artistic traditions and to help visitors better understand the historical, spiritual, and social contexts in which these works were created.

Services

The Savannah African Art Museum offers a range of cultural and educational experiences, including:

• Permanent and rotating exhibitions featuring African art from West, Central, and parts of East Africa, including masks, sculptures, textiles, and ceremonial objects dating primarily from the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Guided tours and educational programs designed for individuals, families, students, and community groups, providing deeper insight into the artworks and the cultures they represent.

• Community engagement initiatives, such as storytelling projects, cultural events, and collaborations with local organizations and festivals.

• Cultural outreach and partnerships that connect African art with broader conversations about heritage, identity, and the African diaspora.

Executive director

The Executive Director of the Savannah African Art Museum is Alisa Evans-Newsome, she oversees the museum's operations, programming. and community engagement. She is supported by a small professional staff, including Jane Woolard, who manages collections care and interpretation, helping ensure the museum's mission remains at the center of its public work.

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Igeorge4@student.savannahstate.edu

Savannah African Art Museum launches Interactive Mobile Game

Afroverse is an educational, interactive game

Savannah, Ga – February 1, 2025

The Savannah African art museum has launched a new interactive mobile game that was made to offer access to knowledge about African culture and art through interactive gameplay

The game, Afroverse, is designed to make learning about African culture and art in an engaging and accessible way. Through the game, players explore artistic traditions and historical stories connected to African art while interacting with the game’s obstacles and levels. The experience allows players to learn at their own pace while actively engaging with the artifacts from the actual museum.

The director of operations, Ms.Alisa Newsome, says the game was created to support education and make African art more accessible, especially for people who may not be able to visit the museum in person. Afroverse can be used as a learning tool for students, families, and individuals interested in African culture.

The launch of the game is part of the museum’s overall mission to expand its cultural educational offerings. By introducing Afroverse, the SAA museum is expanding how it shares African art outside its physical space. The game supports the museum’s educational mission by providing digital access for people to connect with African culture, whether they are visiting the museum or learning remotely.

Contact Information:

Issata George

Public Relations Specialist

678-852-1751

Igeorge4@student.savannahstate.edu News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Savannah African Art Museum Invites the Community to Celebrate Juneteenth with Culture, Art, and Local Vendors.

Guests can enjoy self-guided tours and shop from BIPOC-owned businesses.

Savannah, Ga – June 13, 2026

The Savannah African Art Museum is hosting a Juneteenth celebration that brings the community together through culture, art, and local small businesses. The event will offer self-guided tours, giving guests the freedom to take in the artwork and stories at their own pace. The event will also feature a variety of BIPOC vendors, offering everything from handmade goods and artwork to clothing and food, creating a space where visitors can both learn and support local businesses. The Director of Operations, Ms. Alisa Newsome, says the event was created to honor the meaning of Juneteenth while also bringing people together in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. She acknowledges that it is important for the museum to provide opportunities for the community to connect with African culture in a way that is accessible and meaningful.

The Juneteenth celebration is part of the museum’s ongoing mission to expand its cultural and educational programs. By hosting events like this, the Savannah African Art Museum continues to create spaces where history, culture, and community come together. ###

Alisa Evans-Newsome

Executive Director of the Savannah African Art Museum

Savannah African Art Museums

Address: 201 E 37th St, Savannah, GA 31401

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM –5:00 PM

Sunday & Monday: Closed

https://www.savannahafricanartmus eum.org/

Alisa Evans-Newsome is the Executive Director of the Savannah African Art Museum in Savannah. She is passionate about educating the community on the depth and diversity of African culture through authentic art and storytelling.Under her leadership, the museum has grown into a space where people can learn, ask questions, and connect with African history in a real and meaningful way. She focuses heavily on community outreach, free educational tours, and making the museum accessible to students and visitors who may not have been exposed to African art before.

As a PR client, she stands out because of her strong mission, leadership, and dedication to cultural representation. Her work has the potential to reach even wider audiences through storytelling, media coverage, and social media engagement.