University Archives Photograph Collection, Visual and Performing Arts Photographs circa 1899-1904, 1923-1997 (bulk 1954-1997)

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.
Size
1 linear foot (1 archival box, 2 archival half boxes)
Call number
UA 023.027

The University Archives Photograph Collection Visual and Performing Arts Photographs, circa 1899-1904, 1923-1997 (bulk 1954-1997), primarily document the activities of students in the arts programs administered by the North Carolina State University Division of Student Affairs, including the Music Department, the Crafts Center, the Gallery of Art and Design (later the Gregg Museum of Art and Design), the dance program, and the University Theater program. They also cover some of the professional visual and performing arts events that have taken place at NC State University, including concerts, dance performances, and theater performances by artists and companies not affiliated with the university. In addition to photographs, this collection includes some negatives and other items.

Although student activity in the performing arts, particularly in a dramatic arts club, dates back to the late 1800s at North Carolina State University (then the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts), visual and performing arts at NC State University officially began with the formation of the Music Department in 1924. In the late 1950s and early 1960s the Division of Student Affairs, along with the leadership of the Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union, sought to expand arts offerings to the student body. Toward that end, the NC State University Craft Center, Gallery of Art and Design, University Theater, and dance program were established. In addition to these student arts activities, the Division of Student Affairs Arts NC State subdivision brings in performers from outside the university for special events on campus.

Biographical/historical note

Although student activity in the performing arts, particularly in a dramatic arts club, dates back to the late 1800s at North Carolina State University (then the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts), visual and performing arts at NC State University officially began with the formation of the Music Department in 1924 under the leadership of Percy W. Price, who was a professor in textiles. Price had formed the first organized college band in 1918, and he greatly expanded music programs at NC State University after 1924. Originally situated in the School of Science and Business, the Music Department eventually migrated to the Division of Student Affairs.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s the Division of Student Affairs, along with the leadership of the Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union, sought to expand arts offerings to the student body. Toward this end, a Craft Center was established at the student union, and in 1963 it was moved to a dedicated space in the Thompson Gymnasium. The Gallery of Art and Design was also founded in the Erdahl-Cloyd building, exhibiting both student-produced and professional art. Around the same time, the director of the Erdahl-Cloyd Student Union, Gerald Orlando Theodore Erdahl, who served from 1949 to 1961, started the Friends of the College series of concerts and performances. By the early 1960s, the University Theater program was established to give students a chance to not only attend theatre performances on campus but to get involved in their production. In 1963, the University Theater was established in the Thompson Gymnasium building.

The dance program was officially founded in 1990 under the umbrella of the arts programs in the Division of Student Affairs. Its origins lie in the founding of the first student dance company in 1977 by three NC State University students, Rhonda Bennett-Cagler, Inga Brandon-Pinnix, and Pamela Graham, in cooperation with one of their high school teachers, Georgene Dye. Dance courses were offered through the Department of Physical Education in the fall of 1986.

All of the university's major arts programs, including dance, the Crafts Center, the Music Department, and the Thompson theater, are administered through Arts NC State, the arts subdivision within the Division of Student Affairs. Arts NC State programs are funded through student fees and ticket revenues.

Scope/content

The University Archives Photograph Collection Visual and Performing Arts Photographs, circa 1899-1904, 1923-1997 (bulk 1954-1997), primarily document the activities of students in the visual and performing arts programs administered by the North Carolina State University Division of Student Affairs, including the Music Department, the Crafts Center, the Gallery of Art and Design (later the Gregg Museum of Art and Design), the dance program, and the University Theater program. This collection also includes photos of some of the professional visual and performing arts events that have taken place at NC State University, including concerts, dance performances, and theater performances by artists and companies not affiliated with the university. Two of the older photographs of a student-run dramatic arts club show North Carolina Governor Oliver Max Gardner as a young man (see Box 1, Folder 4). In addition to photographs, this collection includes some negatives and other items.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series: Visual Arts and Performing Arts. The terms "special performances" and "special exhibits" denote performances and exhibits presented by professionals not affiliated with NC State University.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], University Archives Photograph Collection, Visual and Performing Arts Photographs, UA 023.027, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Alternative form available

Related material

Source of acquisition

This collection was created by University Archives from a variety of sources.

Processing information

Processed by Kelly Clark, January 2008; Encoded by Kelly Clark, January 2008

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

The collection is organized into two principal series:

Visual Arts 1954-1992 (UA 023.027 Series 1)
Size: 0.15 linear feet

This series contains photographs of the NC State University Craft Center facilities, student art exhibits, and the creation of the Erdahl-Cloyd mural. "Special exhibits" comprise exhibits presented by artists or organizations not affiliated with NC State University.

3 archival folders

General 1960-1992, undated
Box 1, Folder 1
Craft Center: Ben Owen Pottery Slides 1983
Box 3, Folder 9
Erdahl-Cloyd Mural Project 1954, undated
Box 1, Folder 2
Special Exhibits: Guggenheim 1956
Box 1, Folder 3
Student Art Competition: Slides 1970
Box 3, Folder 8
Performing Arts circa 1899-1904 1923-1997 (UA 023.027 Series 2)
Size: 0.85 linear feet

This series contains photographs of student theater, music, and dance groups at NC State University during practices and performances as well as photographs of performances by artists not affiliated with NC State University, comprising the "special performances" subseries.

18 folders

Theater: General 1903-1904. 1965-1982, undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Theater: General 1982-1988, undated
Box 1, Folder 5
Thompson Theatre 1972-1973, undated
Box 3, Folder 10
Dance: General 1997, undated
Box 1, Folder 6
Music: General 1967-1972, undated
Box 1, Folder 7
Music: NCSU Choral Groups 1933-1943, 1965-1981, undated
Box 1, Folder 8
Music: NCSU Choral Groups 1961, 1981-1982, undated
Box 1, Folder 9
Music: NCSU Instrumental Groups 1958, 1974-1975, undated
Box 2, Folder 1
Music: NCSU Concert Band 1899?, 1923-1943, 1974-1975, undated
Box 2, Folder 2
Music: NCSU Pipes and Drums 1970-1992
Box 2, Folder 3
Music: Negatives 1970-1972, 1992-1993, undated
Box 2, Folder 4
Special Performances: Music 1966, 1980, undated
Box 2, Folder 5
Special Performances: Music 1962, undated
Box 3, Folder 1
Special Performances: Dance 1975-1978, undated
Box 3, Folder 2
Special Performances: Theater 1956, undated
Box 3, Folder 3
Special Performances: Friends of the College Series 1956-1975, undated

Some photographs in this folder are not from the Friends of the College series, but were from other performances on campus.

Box 3, Folder 4
Special Performances: Friends of the College Series 1963-1983, undated

Some photographs in this folder are not from the Friends of the College series, but were from other performances on campus.

Box 3, Folder 5
Special Performances: Center Stage Series 1994-1995
Box 3, Folder 6
Special Performances: Negative undated
Box 3, Folder 7
Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], University Archives Photograph Collection, Visual and Performing Arts Photographs, UA 023.027, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.