They say history is always written by the winners but in this time of instant messaging, ephemeral viral moments, information overload, social media clickbait, 24-hours vanishing 'stories' and reduced attention span, it is important that every side of a story and development is told, written, and recorded assiduously. Hence, the new BBC four-part series, ‘Black Art Matters’ that will explore and document the impact of African- American and other Black artists in the social movements that have come to shape the 2020s and how they have influenced popular culture.

The series is one of the new slew of factual and arts programming that has been ordered by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Other programs in this group include a three-part BBC Two docu-series ‘Frida & Diego’ which explores the personal and political life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and her relationship with Diego Rivera; and a five-part BBC Two docu-series about union and disunion in the UK anchored by historian David Olusoga. This docu-series is titled ‘Union With David Olusoga’. Also included in the announcement are a new series of plays with theatres across the UK; a new selection of monologues for BBC Four on the theme of poverty; and a feature-length film about British composer Michael Tippett by filmmaker John Bridcut.

According to the broadcaster, ‘Black Art Matters’ is the first series commission for BBC Small Indie Fund company Milk And Honey Productions and it will be executive-produced by Lucy Pilkington and made in association with British writer Afua Hirsch and her production company, Born In Me. The sixty-minutes long four-part series will mostly chronicle the transformational effect Black artists and creatives have on the popular culture of the 21st century and how we express ourselves through language, style, and music.

The slate of art programming is the product of the BBC’s recently created Factual, Arts and Classical Music “commissioning powerhouse” led by Patrick Holland. It is a result of the broadcaster’s effort to deliver on its pledge to double investment in arts and music content on its BBC Two channel over the next two years.

“The BBC’s commitment to premium factual, arts and classical music programming is unique in the UK and central to our public service mission,” said Holland. “These commissions build on the unrivaled series of scale that now finds their home on BBC iPlayer, helping to create a video-on-demand platform with a true specialism that speaks to British audiences.”