THERE ARE so many reasons to visit the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, but now Hoosiers have yet another reason to explore the downtown attraction. The traveling exhibit, Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design, showcases the artistic costume creations of the two-time Academy Award-winning designer—celebrated for her work on blockbuster films like Marvel’s Black Panther. The exhibit is set to appear at the Children’s Museum, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, on March 22.
Carter’s work in costume has appeared in such movies as Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, What’s Love Got to Do With It?, Amistad, The Butler, Selena, Coming 2 America, and more. She is the first Black person to win the Costume Design category at the Oscars and earned Marvel Studios their first Oscar recognition.
But fans probably know Carter best today for her work helping transform Chadwick Boseman into the superhero and African king T’Challa and his peers into the citizens of Wakanda and Talokan in the hits Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
For Carter, this exhibit’s particular focus on marrying past and future is of critical importance and highlights a special feature of her design work: Afrofuturism. Afrofuturism is a blend of African culture, history, technology, and futuristic storytelling. “It plays a huge role in my work, especially in films like Black Panther,” Carter says. “The exhibit showcases how costume design can bring Afrofuturism to life by fusing traditional African influences with futuristic elements.”
While a fictional place, Wakanda is depicted as an advanced society. “But its technology is rooted in African traditions,” Carter points out. And so the exhibit highlights how her costumes “integrate elements like vibranium-weave fabric, which blends science fiction with cultural storytelling.”
Much of Carter’s work, and the exhibit in general, borrows from specific African traditions and modern styles from across the continent while integrating technologies that are on the horizon, as well as those that are far-flung and fantastical. “My designs incorporate authentic African textiles, beadwork, and patterns but reimagine them for futuristic settings,” she explains. “For example, in Black Panther, the Dora Milaje’s armor is inspired by the Maasai tribe but is made of advanced, high-tech materials.”
Carter’s take on Afrofuturism also often embraces deep, rich colors. Think royal purples, fiery reds, and vibrant greens, she says. These help reflect the vibrancy of African textiles and clothing design, from Basotho blankets worn by the pastoral Sotho people to sharp senator suits worn by Nigerian men, while projecting a futuristic vision, showcasing African culture and innovation. “From Queen Ramonda’s regal isicholo headdress to Shuri’s sleek, tech-savvy outfits, my costumes show how clothing can represent power, intelligence, and innovation.”
Carter was happy to see the exhibit, which has made the rounds at other museums like the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle and the North Carolina Museum of Art, land at an institution dedicated to kids. “The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is known for its immersive and educational exhibits that engage kids and families in hands-on learning experiences,” she says. While an art museum might focus more on the artistic and historical aspects of a designer’s work, Carter sees the Children’s Museum as offering “a unique opportunity to connect Afrofuturism, storytelling, and culture” with younger audiences (and their families) in interactive and inspiring ways.
“By showcasing costume design—especially my work on films like Black Panther—the exhibit helps children and families see how fashion, history, and imagination can shape the future. It’s a way to introduce young minds to African heritage, innovation, and the power of representation in media,” she says.
