The Museum of African American Art (MAAA) is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of art by or about people of African descent and their contributions to world culture. The museum was founded in 1976 by noted artist and art historian Dr. Samella Lewis and a group of academic, artistic, business, and community leaders whose goal was to increase public awareness of African American art. The Museum of African American Art is the repository for the Palmer C. Hayden Collection, including the John Henry Series, giving the public insight into the life and work of one of the leading artists of the Harlem Renaissance. MAAA seeks to present engaging exhibits and programs in which artists and their art inspire new thinking about issues that reflect, illuminate, or intersect with the shared experiences of people throughout the African diaspora and beyond. Located on the 3rd floor of Macy's in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles, the museum invites the exhibition of internationally recognized artists as well as emerging local artists, while keeping art experiences accessible to the public with free admission. The Museum of African American Art proudly serves as an exhibit venue for emerging artists, a community event space, and a field trip destination for students from local schools.