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

Collection Number UA 023.027

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Collection Information
Abstract:

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 NCSU, 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 NCSU 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 NCSU 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.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
Web Contact Form
Processed by
Kelly Clark, January 2008
Encoded by
Kelly Clark, January 2008

Descriptive Summary

Repository

North Carolina State University Libraries, Special Collections Research Center

Creator

North Carolina State University, University Archives

Title

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

Call Number

UA 023.027

Extent

1 linear foot, 1 archival box, 2 archival half boxes

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Language of Material

English

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

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

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU 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.

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 NCSU 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 NCSU 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 NCSU 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 and Content Note


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 NCSU, 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.

Organization of the Collection


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 NCSU.

Online Catalog Terms


The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Library's online catalog.

Individuals

  • Gardner, Oliver Max, 1882-1947.

Corporate Entities

  • North Carolina State University. Division of Student Affairs.
  • North Carolina State University. Dept. of Music--Students.
  • North Carolina State University. Arts NC State.

Topics

  • Performing arts--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina.
  • Art and design--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina.
  • Music--Study and teaching (Higher)--North Carolina.
  • Music--Performance--North Carolina.
  • Theater--Performance--North Carolina.

Genres

  • Photographs.

Related Material

Detailed Description of the Collection


  • Series 1: Visual Arts, 1954-1992


    0.15 linear feet, 3 archival folders

    This series contains photographs of the NCSU 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 NCSU.

    • General, 1960-1992, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 1]
    • Erdahl-Cloyd Mural Project, 1954, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 2]
    • Special Exhibits, Guggenheim, 1956 [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 3]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]


  • Series 2: Performing Arts, circa 1899-1904, 1923-1997


    0.85 linear feet, 18 folders

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

    • Theater, General, 1903-1904. 1965-1982, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 4]
    • Theater, General, 1982-1988, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 5]
    • Dance, General, 1997, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 6]
    • Music, General, 1967-1972, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 7]
    • Music, NCSU Choral Groups, 1933-1943, 1965-1981, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 8]
    • Music, NCSU Choral Groups, 1961, 1981-1982, undated [UA 023.027 Box 1, Folder 9]
    • Music, NCSU Instrumental Groups, 1958, 1974-1975, undated [UA 023.027 Box 2, Folder 1]
    • Music, NCSU Concert Band, 1899?, 1923-1943, 1974-1975, undated [UA 023.027 Box 2, Folder 2]
    • Music, NCSU Pipes and Drums, 1970-1992 [UA 023.027 Box 2, Folder 3]
    • Music, Negatives, 1970-1972, 1992-1993, undated [UA 023.027 Box 2, Folder 4]
    • Special Performances, Music, 1966, 1980, undated [UA 023.027 Box 2, Folder 5]
    • Special Performances, Music, 1962, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 1]
    • Special Performances, Dance, 1975-1978, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 2]
    • Special Performances, Theater, 1956, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 3]
    • Special Performances, Friends of the College Series, 1956-1975, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 4]
    • Special Performances, Friends of the College Series, 1963-1983, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 5]
    • Special Performances, Center Stage Series, 1994-1995 [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 6]
    • Special Performances, Negative, undated [UA 023.027 Box 3, Folder 7]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]