Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.
The Culture and Animals Foundation Records contains historical and financial records, correspondence, programs, grant applications, and artistic portfolios dating from 1985 to 2018. The Culture and Animals Foundation (CAF) is a nonprofit, cultural organization committed to fostering the growth of intellectual and artistic endeavors united by a positive concern for animals. Founded in 1985 by Nancy and Tom Regan, the CAF exists to expand understanding and appreciation of animals--improving the ways in which they are treated and their standing in human society.
Founded in 1985 by Tom Regan and Nancy Regan, the Culture and Animals Foundation (CAF) seeks to promote animal rights through art. It supports three interrelated projects, the Research Program, the Creativity Program, and the Performance Program. Scholars, artists, and musicians whose work supports animals can apply for funding through CAF. In addition, each year, CAF hosts Triangle Animal Awareness, a conference that includes lectures, performances, and exhibits, all relating to animals.
The Cultural and Animal Foundation Records span the period from 1985 to 2018. The collection includes organizational documents such as minutes and annual reports, correspondence, brochures, and portfolios relating to Triangle Animal Awareness, grant proposals, artist portfolios, and general correspondence. There is also a small video and audio collection of some of the Triangle Animal Awareness performances. The Organizational Documents series contains documents relating to the broad interests of the Foundation. The Triangle Animal Awareness, organized by year, contains documents relating to the annual festival. The Correspondence series contains general organizational correspondence, mostly written by or to Tom Regan. The Artists series contains materials sent by artists, musicians, or scholars for consideration by the Foundation. The Grants series contains proposals, acceptances, and rejections of grants that were both given by the Foundation or given to the Foundation by other agencies. The Special Projects series contains information regarding a few of the major collaboration in which the Foundation worked. The Audio Visual Materials series contains video and audio tapes of performances during Triangle Animal Awareness or of artists who performed during that event.
The collection is divided into twelve series: Organizational Documents, Triangle Animal Awareness, Correspondence, Artists, Grants, Special Projects, Audio-Visual Materials, Artifacts, Oversized Documents, Unprocessed Materials, Digital Media, and Web Content. Several items in the collection have been cross-referenced.
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], Culture and Animals Foundation Records, MC 00320, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Finding aid updated to reflect an addition to the collection by Ella Mayfield, 2026 August.
The collection is organized into twelve principal series:
This series contains the general information regarding the Culture and Animals Foundation (CAF) dating from 1985-1996. In addition to minutes, annual reports, and financial statements, it also contains information on the Advisory Board Members, fundraising and donations, and public relations.
1 archival box
This annual festival has been held in Raleigh since 1986. It is also referred to as the Spoleto Festival for the Animals, and this umbrella event also includes the Compassionate Living Fair and the Ecumenical Blessing of the Animals. Scholars and activists prominent in the animal rights movement are invited to give lectures. In addition, art exhibitions have been held and special performances have been given.
Past highlights include Rue McClanahan, River Phoenix, Andrew Linzey, Sue Coe, Country Joe McDonald, Rachel Rosenthal, and Robert Rauschenberg. Organized by year, this series includes general documents, correspondence, participant portfolios, and press coverage.
5 archival boxes
This correspondence series consists of letters relating to Foundation activities, fundraising, and communication between members. The majority of correspondence is either written by or to Tom Regan in his capacity as chair of the Foundation. There is also a significant amount of correspondence written to other animal rights organizations, including the North Carolina Network for the Animals, the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Humane Society.
2 archival boxes
One of the Foundation's primary missions is to support artists who feature animals in their work. Often, the Foundation received portfolios from artists. This series contains those portfolios that are not linked to grants or Triangle Animal Awareness. In addition, this series contains exhibit catalogs and a collection of slides of prominent works that feature animals. In addition to visual arts, the Foundation also supported musicians, scholars, and playwrights that feature animals, and portfolios from these individuals are also included in this series.
1 archival box
Beyond the Triangle Animal Awareness Festival, the other way that the Foundation fulfills its mission is through financial support to artists, scholars, musicians, events, and organizations that supported animal rights. Included in this series, under the Grants From subseries are grant proposals and correspondence relating to these grants given by the Foundation. As a non-profit organization, the Foundation also seeks grants to fund its many activities. Included in the Grants To subseries are grant proposals and correspondence relating to these grants that the Foundation sought to receive.
1 archival box
This series contains information regarding events that the organization was involved in, often in a sponsor role, but not as the primary sponsor. Advertising, press, and some correspondence are in these files.
2 archival boxes
This series contains tapes of performances either during Triangle Animal Awareness or by performers who later participated in Triangle Animal Awareness. There is also a Public Service Announcement.
1 archival box
Materials in this series may be related to materials in other series in this collection.
This series is arranged in alphabetical order.
This series contains digital media. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advance notice beyond the usual 48 hours. Pending staff review and approval, access will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access may be restricted.
We perform virus scans upon ingest and upon request for access. However, not all virus software profiles will catch all threats, especially newer, not yet recognized ones. The researcher assumes all risk when opening files.
While electronic files are made available to researchers, some files may not open with current software or at all. Researchers may be required to find and use legacy software packages to read files.
Additional conditions may apply.
File count of digital media is approximate and may not accurately reflect the existence of system files, deleted files, and duplicate files.
DVD-R; Approximate Runtime: 36 minutes
DVD-R
DVD-R; Approximate Runtime: 28 minutes
Digital copy exists. Access will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
This is the official website of the Culture and Animals Foundation. The NC State University Libraries has captured this website semiannually since March 2016.
Online access is provided through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance 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
[Identification of item], Culture and Animals Foundation Records, MC 00320, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University does not own copyright to this collection. Individuals obtaining materials from the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center are responsible for using the works in conformance with United States copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.