Archives and Special Collections
92 Snell Library
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2351
archives@neu.edu

Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

Printable Finding Aid. Back to Browsing Version.
Collection Overview
Title:	National Center of Afro-American Artists records
Dates:	1924-1998
Location:	69/1-4, FF4/D5-6
Call Number:	M42
Volume:	25.50 cubic ft. (37 boxes and flat-files)
Scope and Content Abstract:	The collection spans 1924-1998 and documents the founding, administration, financial operations, and personnel of the Center; the Center's active involvement in the African American and arts communities.
Historical Abstract:	The National Center of Afro-American Artists was founded by Elma Ina Lewis in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1968. The Center's founding was a response to concerns over a lack of a comprehensive, national institutional center for African American artists.
Arrangement:	Organized into 6 series: 1. Administration; 2. Financial and Fund Raising; 3. Continuing Programs; 4. Events; 5. Public Relations; and 6. Information Files.
Subjects and Contributors:	Lewis, Elma. Elma Lewis School for the Fine Arts. Museum of the National Center of African American Artists. National Center of African American Artists. African American arts -- Massachusetts -- Boston. African American artists -- Massachusetts -- Boston. African American dance -- Massachusetts -- Boston. African American theater -- Massachusetts -- Boston. African Americans -- Education -- Massachusetts -- Boston. Art centers -- Massachusetts -- Boston. Art -- Study and teaching -- Massachusetts -- Boston. Artists and museums -- Massachusetts -- Boston. Centers for the performing arts -- Massachusetts -- Boston.
Restrictions:	The collection is unrestricted.
Related Materials:	Elma Ina Lewis papers (M38), Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts (M43), Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (M44)
Processor:	Finding aid prepared by Michelle Maing, Processing of this collection was funded in part by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission., August 1999

Scope and Content Note
The collection documents the founding, administration, financial operations (including the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts and The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists), and personnel of the Center; the Center's active involvement in the African American and arts communities through its performances, ensembles, and events; and other national and local organizations related to African American culture in theater, music, dance, and the visual arts. The collection spans 1924-1998 (bulk dates, 1970-1979). Early material relates to information files on renowned performers, including Eubie Blake, Noble Sissle, and Katherine Dunham. A series of unexplained arson fires at the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. Most of the records from the 1970s have survived; however, some records from the 1980s did not. A highlight of the collection is the visual material which includes photographs, videotapes, films, and posters. These materials largely document Elma Lewis' personal and professional life, and performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, or the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. For materials documenting the administration of the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts prior to 1973, see the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts records (M43).

Historical Note
Founded by Elma Ina Lewis in 1968 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, the National Center of Afro-American Artists was established in response to concerns raised at a conference of African American artists who met in Chicago in the mid-1960s, stemming from the lack of a comprehensive, national institutional center for African American artists. As a Boston-based, professional, multi-disciplinary arts organization, the National Center of Afro-American Artists was created to fill this void. The National Center of Afro-American Artists became not only a regional platform but also a national one for African American visual and performing artists. In 1969 the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists was established as a division of the National Center of Afro-American Artists to educate, promote, exhibit, and collect African, Caribbean, and Afro American fine arts. In 1973 the National Center of Afro-American Artists brought under its wing the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, which became the teaching division of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Founded by Elma Lewis in 1950, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts offered classes in art, dance, drama, costuming, and music to hundreds of youth and adult students annually. During a time of political and racial strife, Lewis sought to bring peace and unity through the School's Playhouse in the Park program, a summer theater in Franklin Park which began in 1966 and featured Duke Ellington and other celebrities. The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts closed in 1990 after many years of financial difficulty. As part of its administrative duties, the National Center of Afro-American Artists oversaw the public relations, financial, and development activities of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Since its founding, the National Center of Afro-American Artists has had a wide-reaching influence across the United States and overseas through projects with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston, Massachusetts); international partnerships with Senegal, Ivory Coast, Barbados, and Haiti; and the annual Christmas musical, Black Nativity, which premiered in 1970.

Bibliography
Background: Historical Summaries, Box 11


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Series:	1. Administration, 1967-1996 (bulk 1971-1975)
Volume:	1.5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	Alphabetical
Summary:	The series documents the founding, management, and personnel of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. Also documented are properties owned and operated by the Center, either as the headquarters or as real estate investments. The series includes administrative policies and reports for the National Center of Afro-American Artists, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, articles of incorporation, by-laws, awards and citations for the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, Board of Directors minutes and correspondence, daily logs of all incoming correspondence, legal correspondence on various court cases regarding delinquent payment of bills, personnel policy manuals, and correspondence on real estate investments on Ballou Avenue, the National Center of Afro-American Artists' former headquarters on 122 Elm Hill Avenue, and the Center and the Museum's current location at 300 Walnut Avenue.
Box	Title				Date
1	Administrative Policies and Procedures (2 folders)				n.d., 1973-1978
1	Administrative Reports				1968-1984
1	Agreement of Understanding with Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts				1981
1	Annual Report				1969
1	Annual Report Filing				1973
1	Appointment Calendar				1972-1983
1	Articles of Incorporation				1968-1988
1	Awards and Citations				1972-1994
	Board of Directors
1		Correspondence			n.d., 1972-1993
1		Development Plan			n.d., 1986-1988
1		Executive Committee			1979-1980
1		Finance and Development Committee			n.d., 1968-1975
1, 37		Lists			n.d., 1972-1993
1		Minutes (2 folders)			n.d., 1970-1980
1		National Black Endowment, Inc.			n.d.
1		Reorganization of Dance Company			1973
1	By-Laws				n.d., 1973-1988
1	Certificate of Appointment of Resident Agent				1973
1-2	Daily Correspondence Logs (24 folders)				n.d., 1973-1987
2	Interoffice Memoranda				1974-1975
2, 37	Legal (2 folders)				n.d., 1974-1983
2	Legal Personnel				1976-1983
2	Letterhead				n.d.
2	News				1974-1975, 1996
2	Newsletter				1975-1978
2	Organizational Charts				n.d., 1983
	Personnel
2		Administrator (Paul Parks)			n.d., 1974-1981
2		Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)			1975-1977
2		Department of Youth Services Restitution Program			ca. 1974
2		Employment Agreement			ca. 1988
2		Harvard-Radcliffe College Work-Study Program			n.d.
2		Issues			1973-1982
2		Job Descriptions			n.d.
2		Meetings			n.d., 1974-1983
2		Olatunji, Babatunde			n.d., 1967-1981
2		Policy Manual (4 folders)			1973-1984
2		Procedures			ca. 1973
2		Resumes and Lists			n.d., 1968-1993
2		Senior Staff Retreat Report			ca. 1975
2		Technical Qualifications			n.d.
2	Plan for the National Center of Afro-American Artists				1968
	Property
		General
2			Buildings and Grounds Procedures		n.d.
2			Lease between National Center of Afro-American Artists and Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts		1977
2, FF4/D5			Proposed Building Plan		n.d.
2			Real Estate Venture		n.d., 1973
2			Surplus Property Agreement		1971
		National Center of Afro-American Artists Headquarters
2			101 Crawford Street (Roxbury, MA)		1981
2			172 Elm Hill Avenue (Dorchester, MA)		1981-1983
			122 Elm Hill Avenue (Dorchester, MA)
2				General	1971-1991
2				Renovations and Repairs (2 folders)	n.d., 1971-1987
2				Workshop Addition Plan	n.d.
2			Seaver Street (Dorchester, MA)		n.d., 1975-1983
2			Temple Mishkan Tefila (at Elm Hill Ave. and Seaver St.)		1968
			300 Walnut Avenue (Roxbury, MA)
2				General	1975-1983
2				Grand Opening	1980
2				National Register of Historic Places	1987
2				Renovation Proposal	1979
2				Renovations and Repairs (3 folders)	1977-1988
2			20 Charlotte Street (Dorchester, MA)		ca. 1960s
		Real Estate Investments
2			Ballou Avenue (Dorchester, MA) (3 folders)		1972-1981
3			Heritage Park (Roxbury, MA) (24 folders)		n.d.
3			Madison Park Shopping Center Proposal		1992
3			Nazing Court Properties (Roxbury, MA)		1974-1983
3			One Mason Street (Brookline, MA)		1973-1976
3			358-360 Walnut Avenue (Roxbury, MA)		1972
3			326-328 Blue Hill Avenue (Dorchester, MA)		1971-1984
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Series:	2. Financial and Fund Raising, 1957-1997 (bulk 1971-1989)
Volume:	7.0 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	By administrative division: National Center of Afro-American Artists, Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists
Summary:	The series documents the financial operations of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, and contains budget summaries, financial correspondence and interoffice memoranda, financial statements, and income tax returns. Also documented here are fund-raising efforts through grants, benefit events, solicitations, and retail sales by the three organizations. Materials include grant proposals (both approved and denied); correspondence on contributions given by individuals, corporations, and foundations; correspondence on fund-raising solicitations and funding drives; and correspondence, notes, and memoranda on benefit events such as the Muhammad Ali event and Celebrate, an annual fund raiser that celebrated racial pride. Also documented here are retail sales of Capezio, a ballet shop that Elma Lewis purchased to generate revenue for the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts; the Milestones and Marvels Calendar Project, a project to raise funds and celebrate African American arts heritage; and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists' retail shop.
Box	Title				Date
	Financial
		National Center of African American Artists
3			Budget Summaries (2 folders)		n.d., 1970-1988
3			Cash Blotters		1974-1982
3			Financial Correspondence (2 folders)		n.d., 1972-1993
3			Financial Interoffice Memoranda		n.d., 1973-1993
3			Financial Statements (2 folders)		n.d., 1972-1986
3			Loans		1977-1986
3			Procedures		ca. 1977
3			Stock Investments		1981-1993
3			Taxes		1969-1993
		Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts
3-4			Budget Summaries (6 folders)		n.d., 1969-1987
3			Cash Blotters		1974-1985
5			Cash Disbursements Journal		1986-1989
5			Corporate Resolution for Bank Account		1977-1982
5			Debt History		1976-1977
5			Debt Resolution for Bank Account		1976-1982
5			Financial Correspondence (4 folders)		n.d., 1973-1988
5			Financial Interoffice Memoranda		1973-1984
5			Financial Statements (2 folders)		1957-1986
5			Five-Year Financial Plan		1975-1979
5			Loans		1972-1984
5			Procedures		n.d., 1975
5			Stock Investments		1971-1983
5			Taxes		n.d., 1966-1986
		Museum of the National Center of African American Artists
5			Budget Summaries		n.d., 1977-1994
5			Cash Blotters		1979, 1992
5			Financial Correspondence (2 folders)		n.d., 1974-1993
5			Financial Interoffice Memoranda		1979
	Fund Raising
		National Center of African American Artists
			Benefit Events
5				Celebrate (16 folders)	n.d., 1971-1979
5				Dinner	1977
5				Other Benefit Events	1974-1982
5				Raisin	1975
			Contributions
6				Donor Lists (4 folders)	n.d., 1970-1988
6				Envelopes	n.d.
6				Friends of the National Center of African American Artists (2 folders)	n.d., 1969-1975
6				Other Contributions (7 folders)	n.d., 1968-1985
6				Procedures	n.d.
6				United Way	1976
			Grants
6				Aetna	1975
6				Associated Foundation of Greater Boston, Inc.	1975
6				AT&T	1990-1991
6				Boston City Arts Council	1983
6				Committee of the Permanent Charity Fund	1974
6				Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts	1972-1981
6				Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities (2 folders)	1975-1990
6				Massachusetts Cultural Council: Black Nativity	1993
6				NEA (2 folders)	1972-1986
6				NEH	1974
6				Other Grants	n.d., 1972-1983
6				Rockefeller Foundation	1970-1972
6				Sample Proposals	1977
6				United Way	1972-1983
6				Urban Action Program	1981
			Sales
6-7				Capezio (17 folders)	1963-1993
7, 37				Milestones and Marvels Calendar (7 folders)	n.d., 1982-1988
		Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts
			Benefit Events
7				Muhammad Ali Event (4 folders)	1976-1977
7				Other Benefit Events	n.d., 1973-1981
			Contributions
7				Boston Globe	1968-1980
7				Building Fund	n.d., 1972-1982
7				Donors: Prospective List	n.d., 1968-1975
7				Endowment Campaign (4 folders)	1974-1988
7				Fire Fund (2 folders)	n.d., 1981-1988
7				First National Bank of Boston	1971-1976
7				Friends of the Elma Lewis School	1982
7				Goldston, Eli	1973-1976
7				Harvard University	n.d., 1974-1984
7-8				Other Contributions (16 folders)	n.d., 1966-1988
8				Shawmut Bank	1972-1982
			Grants
8				Bicentennial Marching Band	1973-1977
8				Boston Arts Lottery	1983-1984
8				Boston University	1981
8				Carnegie Corporation	1973-1974
8				Charles Hayden Foundation	1975-1982
8				Committee of the Permanent Charity Fund	1969-1983
8				Ford Foundation	1969-1983
8				Frederick J. Kennedy Memorial Foundation	1981
8				Jubilee 350 Committee	1979
8				Kresge Foundation	1972
8				Lilly Endowment	1972-1979
8				Massachusetts Board of Higher Education	1975
8				Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities (4 folders)	n.d., 1966-1986
8				Massachusetts Department of Corrections	1972-1973
8				Massachusetts Education (2 folders)	1974-1980
8				Massachusetts Health, Education and Welfare	1973-1975
8-9				Massachusetts Public Welfare (3 folders)	1973-1977
9				MCI Norfolk Prison Theater Program	1971-1972
9				Metropolitan Cultural Alliance	1975
9				Model City	1971-1973
9				Music Teaching Program (NEA?)	1972
9				NEA (8 folders)	n.d., 1972-1986
9				NEH	1978-1981
9				National Football League Charities	1980-1982
9				Other Grants (2 folders)	1980-1983
9				Rockefeller Foundation	n.d., 1968-1982
9				School Committee of the City of Boston	1976-1984
9				State Manpower Services Council	1976
9				Unidentified Agency	n.d., ca. 1968-1971
9				United Way (5 folders)	1974-1985
9				U.S. Office of Education	1970-1974
9				Women's Educational Equity Act Program	1980
		Museum of the National Center of African American Artists
9			Benefit Events		1990-1997
			Contributions
9				Building Fund	1976-1985
9				Donor Lists (3 folders)	n.d., 1971-1992
9-10				Membership (7 folders)	n.d., 1977-1993
10				Other Contributions (5 folders)	n.d., 1970-1993
10				Summer Teaching Program	1979
			Grants
10				American Association of Museums	1983
10				American Federation of the Arts	1992-1993
10				Boston Arts Lottery	1983-1987
10				Boston Private Industry Council	1983-1986
10				Boston Public Schools	1985-1986
10				Education and Resources Group	1986-1989
10				Ford Foundation	1989
10				Institute of Museum Services	1978-1987
10				Jubilee 350	1979-1981
10				Kresge Foundation	1980-1982
10				Lotus Development Corporation	1986
10				Massachusetts Council of the Arts and Humanities (8 folders)	1972-1989
10				Minnesota Humanities Commission	1985
10				National Charitable Trust	1984
10				NEA (11 folders)	n.d., 1973-1993
10				NEA/Exxon/Polaroid/Honeywell	1979-1980
10				NEH	1972-1984
11				New England Foundation for the Arts	1986-1987
11				Other Grants (3 folders)	1973-1993
11				Publication of a Catalogue of Prints in the Museum of the National Center of African American Artists	1984-1985
11				Smithsonian Institution (2 folders)	1975-1983
11			Sales: Museum Shop (4 folders)		n.d., 1982-1992
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Series:	3. Continuing Programs, 1961-1996
Volume:	1.5 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	Alphabetical
Summary:	The series documents the National Center of Afro-American Artists' annual performances including Black Nativity, Evening at the Pops, Marcus Garvey Festival, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration; and ensembles that the Center formed and organized such as Voices and Children of Black Persuasion (singing groups), Dance Company of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, National Center Chorus, Theatre Company, and Wuhabi Mime Company (formerly National Center Mime Company). The series contains correspondence, memoranda, scripts, musical compositions, and brochures on the performances and ensembles. Performances, programs, and projects that the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists initiated and organized are documented in the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts records (M43) and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists records (M44).
Box	Title			Date
11	Background: Historical Summaries			n.d., 1970-1983
11	Black History Month			1981
	Black Nativity
11		Bookings		1972-1974
11		Brochures (12 folders)		n.d., 1977-1993
11		Budget Proposal		n.d., 1973-1989
11		Cash Receipts		1973-1991
11		Cast Lists		1976
11		Correspondence (3 folders)		n.d., 1972-1994
11		Expense Report (4 folders)		1987-1991
11		Expenses (4 folders)		1989-1993
11		February Fete Invitation		1992
11		Income Report		1991
11		Production Notes		n.d., 1986
11		Public Relations		n.d., 1973-1994
11		Sales		1993-1996
11		Schedule		1976-1990
11		Script		1961
11		20th Anniversary Stationary		1989
	Black Persuasion
12		Bookings		1972
12		Correspondence		n.d., 1972-1989
	Dance Company
12		Bookings		1973-1975
12		Correspondence		n.d., 1972-1982
12		Critiques and Reviews		1972-1973
12		Description		n.d., ca. 1972
12		Director (Danny Sloan)		1968-1977
12		Director (Billy Wilson)		n.d., 1972-1982
12		"Echoes of An Era"		n.d.
12		Events		n.d., 1969-1979
12		Expenses		1972-1973
12		Performance Schedules		n.d., 1970-1974
12		Procedures		n.d.
12		Publicity		n.d., 1971-1974
12		Rite du Soleil: Costume and Set Design		n.d.
12	Elderly Program			n.d.
12	Elma Lewis School and Rabbi Jehu R. Eaves Yeshiva for Hebrew Studies and Culture Plan			1996
12	Evening at the Pops (2 folders)			1980-1984
12	Exchange Program with St. Thomas, Virgin Islands			1974
12	Marcus Garvey Festival			1970-1976
12	Martin Luther King Celebration			1975-1989
	National Center of African American Artists Chorus
12		Correspondence		1971-1974
		Musical Composition
FF4/D5			"Elma: Blues for Elma Lewis," "Portrait of Billie Holiday," "Hi Fly," "Royal Lady"	n.d.
12			"Unpredictable," "Anything," "You Cannot Catch Love,"	1990
12			"Where are the Friends?"	1990
12	New Careers Program			1974
12	Playwrights Workshop			1971
12	Project Interaction			n.d., 1974
12	Project Proposal for Instruction and Research in the Communication Arts			n.d.
12	Say Brother			n.d., 1972-1973
12	Senegal Proposal			1980
12	Stage Production Arena 5-Year Plan			n.d.
12	Sunday Afternoon Concert Series			1975
12	Talley Beatty Dance Company			1969
	Theatre Company
12		General
		Scripts
12			Antigue	n.d.
12			The Bakkhi	1988
12			Ballad Caribe	n.d.
12			Before It Hits Home	1988
12			Body in the Lamaha	n.d.
12			Brigadoon	n.d.
12			Condemned to Die	n.d.
12			The Devil's Dancer	1980
12			Drink the Contents of this Vial	1984
12			The Drum Major... Dreaming with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.	1989-1990
37			Excerpts of Proceedings Against the Late Rev. J. Smith	n.d.
37			Home From Onderneeming	n.d.
12			A Lake Full of Honey	1977
12			Looking for an Echo	1984
12			Lost and Found (A True Story)	1988
12			The Meeting	1983
12			Music in the Air	n.d.
12			No. 55 Wildroot Alley	n.d.
37			Professor John	n.d.
12			Promise & Fulfillment, A Pageant of Progress Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Robert Gould Shaw House, Inc.	n.d.
12			Return of a King	n.d.
12			The Thrushtones	1979
12			Twit for Twa?! – Cynthia Belgrave	ca. 1980s
12			Unidentified	n.d.
12			When the Cold Wind Burns	n.d.
12		Other Writings		n.d., 1988
12		Poems		n.d., 1969-1970, 1993
12	WGBH/ National Center of African American Artists Proposal: The Tapestry of Life			1975
12	Workshops			1972-1986
12	Wuhabi Mime Company			1973-1975
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Series:	4. Events, 1970-1991
Volume:	1.75 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	Alphabetical
Summary:	The series documents one-time arts-related, political, and managerial events produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Dance Company of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, Theatre Company, and National Center Chorus. The series includes bookings of outside artists performing for the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and of artists of the Center and School performing at outside venues. The series also includes correspondence and memoranda on individual events such as Africare Reception, Friends of the National Center of Afro-American Artists Reception, Gambian Festival, John Boone Day, and Malcolm X Day.
Box	Title	Date
12	Africa Today	1991
12	Africare Reception	1974
13	Bookings	1972-1974
13-14	Bookings, A-Z (Alphabetical by venue and artist)	n.d.
12-13	Boston 200 (3 folders)	n.d.
13	Business Management Seminar	1975
13	Conference on Management Assistance for Cultural Diverse Arts Organizations	1987
13	Danny Sloan Dance Concert	1978
13	Dukakis Inaugural Gala	1975
13	Framingham Arts Festival	1975
13	Fur Show	1984
13	Gambian Festival	1977
13	Governor's Prayer Breakfast	1983
13	Guest Book	1975-1979
13	John Boone Day	1973
13	Jubilee Showcase	1975
13	Malcolm X Day	1975
13	NAACP Convention	1982
13	National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference	1970
13	National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials Reception	1974-1975
13	National Business League Cabaret/Reception	1975
13	Other Events	n.d., 1971-1986
13	Reception for Diplomats from Africa	1984
13	Reception for Dr. Marcelino Dos Santos	1989
13	Suncoast Productions: Jeannie Conroy Show	1974
13	Tribute to Edward Brooke	1977
13	US-China Friendship Exposition	1980
13	US-China People's Friendship Association Dinner	1979
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Series:	5. Public Relations, 1965-1998
Volume:	12.0 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	Organized into 2 subseries: A) Subject Files and B) Audio-Visual Materials. Subseries A is arranged alphabetically. Subseries B is arranged alphabetically by format.
Summary:	The series documents the efforts of the Center, the School, and the Museum to promote their performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits to the African American and arts communities, utilizing the press, radio, and television. The series contains correspondence, memoranda, brochures, press kits, flyers, and press releases, newspaper clippings that document most aspects of the performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits produced by the Center, the School, and the Museum. The clippings are arranged chronologically. The highlight of the series is the visual material that is composed of photographs (both promotional and candid), videotapes, 16 mm films, and posters. Although not as comprehensive as the newspaper clippings, these materials provide important visual documentation of Elma Lewis's personal and professional life and of the performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists Reception, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, or the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists. The National Center of Afro-American Artists photographs portray artists such as Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Lois Mailou Jones, Katherine Dunham, and the Center's choral group; the Muhammad Ali benefit event; various dance performances; the Senator Edward Brooke tribute; the Evening at Pops with Randy Weston; and performances of Black Nativity and Black Persuasion. Also included in the Center photographs are exterior and interior shots of Temple Mishkan Tefila and building shots of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists headquarters at 300 Walnut Avenue. The Center videotapes, films, and posters relate to Black Nativity, Say Brother, and the Milestones and Marvels Calendar fund-raising project. The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts photographs document Playhouse in the Park, including a shot of Duke Ellington performing, Franklin Park, MCI Norfolk Prison Theatre drama productions, and students in classes and various musical and dance performances. The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts videotapes and films, including "We Hold These Truths," document the educational programs. The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists photographs relate largely to artists and exhibits, including the Museum and Museum of Fine Art's first collaboration on an exhibition, Afro-American Artists: New York and Boston in 1970. The Museum videotapes and posters also relate mostly to artists and exhibits, including Lois Mailou Jones, Allan R. Crite, and Harriet Kennedy. Photographs documenting Elma Lewis' personal and professional life include award ceremonies, Camp Atwater, Lewis' friends and family, speaking engagements, West Africa, teaching dance, and various public relations events. The videotapes include interviews of Elma Lewis in which she spoke about living in Roxbury, the history of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and winning the MacArthur Foundation Prize Fellowship. For information on the contents of the videotapes, films, audiotapes, and for a listing of the posters, see the control file.
Box	Title				Date
	A. Subject Files
		National Center of African American Artists
14			Black Enterprise		1975
14			Black Journal - WNET		n.d., 1974
14			Boston 200: Bicentennial Film		1974
14			Brochures		n.d., 1970-1972
14			Correspondence (2 folders)		n.d., 1969-1984
14			Department Procedures		n.d., 1975
14			NEA: Expansion Arts Film		n.d.
14			Quinn & Johnson/BBDO Consultants		1983
14			WCVB-TV 5		n.d., 1973-1983
		Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts
14			Correspondence (5 folders)		n.d., 1968-1985
14			School Brochures		n.d., 1965-1984
		Museum of the National Center of African American Artists
14			America's Living Legends in the Arts		1993-1994
14			Boston Globe article		1994
14			Correspondence (2 folders)		n.d., 1970-1994
14			Executive Service Corps of New England		1991
14			Say Brother Production		1980
15-17		Newspaper Clippings			n.d., 1966-1998
	B. Audio-Visual Materials
		Photographs and Slides
			Elma Lewis
18				Awards (2 folders)	n.d.
18				Camp Atwater	n.d.
19				Candid Shots	n.d.
18-19, FF4/D6				Events (4 folders)	n.d.
18				Formal Portraits	n.d.
18				Friends and Family (2 folders)	n.d.
18				Speaking Engagements (2 folders)	n.d.
18				Teaching	n.d.
18				United States Department of State ICA Cultural Specialist West Africa Trip	1977-1979
			National Center of African American Artists
20				Artists (16 folders)	n.d.
20				Benefit Events (5 folders)	n.d.
21				Drama Productions (2 folders)	n.d.
21				Events (6 folders)	n.d.
21				New York Shakespeare Festival Mobile Theater	n.d.
21				People	n.d.
21-22				Performances (8 folders)	n.d.
22				Personnel (2 folders)	n.d.
22				Property (8 folders)	n.d.
22				Sales: Capezio	n.d.
			Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts
23				Drama Productions	n.d.
23				Events (4 folders)	n.d.
23				Franklin Park	n.d.
23				MCI Norfolk Prison Theatre Program	n.d.
23				Playhouse in the Park	n.d.
23, FF4/D5				Students (4 folders)	n.d.
			Museum of the National Center of African American Artists
24				Acquisition Proposals	n.d.
24				Art Classes	n.d.
24				Events (8 folders)	n.d.
24				Exhibit Proposals (2 folders)	n.d.
24-26				Exhibits (37 folders)	n.d.
26				Mural in Jamaica Plain	n.d.
26				Programs: Mobile Museum	n.d.
FF4/D5		Posters			n.d., 1943-1996
		Videotapes, Films and Audiotapes
27			American Parade with Charles Kuralt (Interview with Elma Lewis), CBS (VHS)		1984
27			Black, Brown and Beige, 1958: A Tone Parallel to Harlem (1/4" reel-to-reel audiotape)		1958
27			Black Legacies #1: The Mass Learnpike, MCET (VHS)		1994
			Black Nativity
27				News Story: Scenes from Black Nativity, WCVB (VHS)	1991
27				At Opera House (1" reel-to-reel videotape)	1990
27				Urban News Update, WNEV (VHS) (2 tapes)	n.d., ca. 1997
27			Camp Atwater: A Growing Place, WGBY (VHS)		1990
28			A Drum is a Woman, 1956: La Plus Belle Africaine (1/4" reel-to-reel audiotape)		1966
27-28			Elma Lewis Archival Donation Reception, Northeastern University (VHS)		1997
28			Elma Lewis Piece, WGBH/CPB Fellow (VHS)		1991
28			Elma Lewis Presents "A Spiritual Awakening: The Restoration of Our Memories" (VHS)		1996
28			Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts (16 mm film, reel #1; also VHS copy)		1972
28			Inner City Beat (VHS)		1990
28			Jones Lois Mailou, WETA (16mm film, reel #2; also VHS copy)		1983
28			Jump for Joy 1941: Black, Brown, Beige (1/4" reel-to-reel audiotape)		1944
29			MacArthur Foundation Nightline ABC (VHS)		1986
			Masters/Murals/Movement
29				D. Stull Plans (3/4" tape)	n.d.
29-30				Exploration of Concepts (6 tapes: ¾" tape)	1989
30			New England Today Presents: An Interview with Harriet Kennedy, WLVI (3/4" tape)		1985
30			New Heaven, New Earth: The Art of Allan R. Crite, WCVB (3/4" tape)		ca. 1975
31			New World A-Comin' 1943: A Drum is a Woman II (1/4" reel-to-reel audiotape)		1956
31			People Power: Paths' Exhibit, WLVI (3/4" tape)		1983
31			Prominent Bostonians: An Interview with Elma Lewis (VHS)		1993
31			Sarcophagus: Tour of Sculpture Studio and Creation of, Museum of the National Center of African American Artists (VHS)		1994
			Say Brother
31				Birth of a Museum, WGBH (3/4" tape)	1980
31				Black Arts, Program #34, WGBH (VHS)	1969
31				Brandeis Takeover, Program #24, WGBH (VHS)	1969
32				Black Athlete, Program #35, WGBH (VHS)	1969
32				First Anniversary Show, Program #36, WGBH (VHS)	1969
32				Reflections with Elma Lewis, Program #2525, WGBH (VHS)	1995
32				Segments on Jacqueline Banks, Black Panthers shot, African wedding in Boston, Stark Reality Jazz Group, and education with Sarah Ann Shaw, Jean McGuire, Gerald Hill, Francine Mills, John Jackson, Patricia Rajnor, Program #7, WGBH (VHS)	1968
32				Segments on George Hunt, Ishmael Reed, Ralph Wiley, Charles Collins, WGBH (VHS)	1993
32			Sites of Recollection, Museum of the National Center of African American Artists (VHS)		1992
32			A Story for All Seasons, Black Journal, WNET (16mm film, reel #3; also VHS copy)		1974
32			Talkin' Bout Droppin' Out! Teen Vision Posse (VHS)		1989
33			Third World On Location, The Afro-American Tradition in Decorative Art (3/4" tape)		n.d.
33			We Hold These Truths Festival (16mm film, reels #4-9; also VHS copy)		1976
33			Youth Docent Program, Amateur Recording (VHS)		1993
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Series:	6. Information Files, 1924-1996 (bulk 1971-1975)
Volume:	1.75 cubic ft.
Arrangement:	Alphabetical
Summary:	The information files document other national and local arts- related and political organizations and provide some context for the National Center of Afro-American Artists' activities. The series contains largely unsolicited correspondence, memoranda, and brochures on such topics as black artists, athletes, and photographers, black history, and desegregation, and on such institutions and community organizations as Boston Compact, The Circle, Inc., Howard University, Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, and the NAACP.
Box	Title		Date
34	African American Historical and Cultural Museum Exhibition Catalog		1986
34	Afro-American Resource Directory		1973
34	American Dance Festival		1992
34	Art Dynamo		1991
34	Arts Festival		1982
34	Ballet Nacional de Cuba		1978-1979
34	Black Achievers		1990
34	Black Artists, Athletes and Photographers		n.d., 1973
34	Black Bostonians Exhibition Catalog		1988
34	Black Christian Nationalism		1972
34	Black Folks Theater Company		n.d.
34	Black History		n.d., 1969-1989
34	Black History Essays		n.d., 1978
34	Black Theatre Network		n.d.
34	Blacks in Boston and Massachusetts: A Policy Agenda		1988
37	Blake, Eubie and Noble Sissle, 1924 (copy)		1959-1973
34	Boatner, Clifford		n.d., 1967-1973
34	Boston Center for the Arts		n.d.
34	Boston Compact (2 folders)		1982-1983
34	Boston Opera House		n.d.
34	Boston Public School System		n.d.
34	Boston Youth Theater		n.d.
34	The Circle, Inc.		1974-1975
34	City Wide Planning Committee		1978
34	Colonial Theatre		1989
34	Congressional Black Caucus Political Action Committee		1975-1983
34	Correspondence (14 folders)		n.d., 1970-1996
34	The Cromwell Academy		ca. 1972
34	Davis, Ossie		n.d.
34	Desegregation		1972-1976
34	Doris W. Jones School of the Dance		ca. 1951
34	Dorsey, Thomas A.		n.d., 1970-1973
34	Draft Report on the Impact of Educational Research and Development on School Practice		n.d.
34	Dunham, Katherine (copy)		n.d., 1938, 1970-1972
34	The Gallery		1987
34	Giovanni, Nikki		1969-1972
34	Grey, Paul		n.d, 1972
34	Hate Mail		1973-1975
34	Hayes, Roland		n.d., 1963
35	Howard University		1974
35	Huntington Theatre		1988-1989
35	Jamaica School of Drama		n.d.
FF4/D5	Kusumi, Malaika		1995
35	Maceba Affairs Presents		n.d.
35	Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus		1973-1983
35	Metropolitan Culture Alliance		1973-1975
35	Morgan State College Exhibition Catalog		1971-1975
35	NAACP Branch Directory (3 folders)		1981
35	NAACP Conference		1982
35	New Paper		1972
35	New Repertory Theatre		1988-1989
35	Next Move Theatre		1986
35	Odetta		n.d.
35	Pan-African Festival Arts and Cultures		1988
35	Pan-Caribbean Theatre Company		1986
35	Publick Theatre		1987
35	Racism in Latin America		n.d.
35	Ramos, Diane		n.d., 1971-1974
35	Report for Developing Long-Range Plan Between Boston Public Schools and Boston's Cultural Institutions		1981
35	Retail Programs and Action Strategies for Dudley Square		1990
35	Robeson, Paul		n.d., 1972-1983
35	Roxbury District Planning Program		1975
35	Roxbury Latin Spring Musical		1985
36	Roxbury Medical Technical Institute		1973-1976
36	Roxbury Multi-Service Center		1968-1985
36	Roxbury-North Dorchester Community Action		1966
36	Sanders Theatre		1989
36	South African Business Group		1978
36	Southwest Corridor Development Plan		1974-1976
36	Strand Theatre		ca. 1985
	Theater Productions
36		New York	1987-1989
36		Rhode Island	1988-1989
36		University of Massachusetts, Boston	n.d.
36	United Black Students Committee: The Ideal Paper		1975
36	Utterbach Concert Ensemble		1964-1967
36	Wang Center for the Performing Arts		1989
36	Wheelock Family Theatre		1989
36	Wilbur Theatre		1982
36	Worchester Forum Theatre Ensemble		1989-1990
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Archives and Special Collections 92 Snell Library 360 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115 (617) 373-2351 archives@neu.edu

Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

Printable Finding Aid. Back to Browsing Version.

Series:

1. Administration, 1967-1996 (bulk 1971-1975)

Series:

2. Financial and Fund Raising, 1957-1997 (bulk 1971-1989)

Series:

3. Continuing Programs, 1961-1996

Series:

4. Events, 1970-1991

Series:

5. Public Relations, 1965-1998

Series:

6. Information Files, 1924-1996 (bulk 1971-1975)

Archives and Special Collections
92 Snell Library
360 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 373-2351
archives@neu.edu