Archives and Special Collections
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Archives and Special Collections Finding Aids

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Collection Overview
Title:Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts records
Dates:1954-1992
Location:69/3-4, FF4/D5
Call Number:M43
Volume:14.35 cubic ft. (15 boxes)
Scope and Content Abstract:The collection documents the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts' founding, administration, and programming. Administrative responsibilities were assumed by the National Center of Afro-American Artists after its founding in 1968. Also included are materials documenting other national and local organizations related to African American culture in theater, music, dance, and the visual arts.
Historical Abstract:Founded by Elma Lewis in 1950, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts was established to meet the social, cultural, and artistic needs of Boston's African American community. Lewis's goal was to foster the arts, not only in the local Roxbury-Dorchester community, but also in the African American community at large. The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts offered education in art, dance, drama, music, and costuming to pre-school children, school-aged children and adults.
Arrangement:Organized into 4 series: 1. Administration; 2. Teaching Files; 3. Programs and Events, and 4. Correspondence.
Subjects and Contributors:
  • Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974.
  • Lewis, Elma.

  • Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts.
  • National Center of Afro-American Artists.
  • National Center of Afro-American Artists. Museum.

  • 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.
  • Prison theater -- Massachusetts -- Boston.
  • Prisoners as artists -- Massachusetts -- Boston.
Restrictions:Student and personnel records (box 2, folders 4, 34 and boxes 3-11) are closed for 75 years from the date of their creation.
Related Materials:

Elma Ina Lewis papers (M38), National Center of Afro-American Artists (M42), 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, staffing, and management activities of the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts; the school's long history of financial difficulties; and other national and local organizations related to African American culture in theater, music, dance, and the visual arts.

A highlight of the collection is the material relating to the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts' teaching and promotion of African American arts and artistic expression through its educational programs in art, dance, drama, music, and costuming, and a number of other programs the school organized such as Playhouse in the Park and MCI Norfolk Prison Theatre program.

The collection spans 1954-1992.  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.

Visual materials and materials documenting the school's fund-raising activities, financial operations, and public relations are found in the National Center of Afro-American Artists records (M42).

Historical Note

Founded by Elma Ina Lewis in 1950, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts was established to meet the social, cultural, and artistic needs of Boston's African American community.  Lewis believed in the importance of fostering the arts not only in the local Roxbury-Dorchester community but also in the African American community at large, and her philosophy was to instill racial pride while teaching.  The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts became a model and an inspiration for other schools across the country.  Several alumni founded arts schools, or became teachers at the school or other educational institutions, continuing the tradition.

The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts offered education in art, dance, drama, music, and costuming to pre-school children, school-aged children, and adults. On opening day in 1950, 25 students enrolled.  Elma Lewis purchased the Capezio Ballet Shop in Dorchester to provide revenue for student scholarships.  In 1966 the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts received its first federal grant and was incorporated as a non-profit organization.  That same year Lewis established the Playhouse in the Park program, a summer theater in Franklin Park that featured Duke Ellington and other celebrities.  In 1968 the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts moved to Temple Mishkan Tefila and its school in Roxbury, which had been donated by the Jewish community.  The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts established the Massachusetts Correctional Institute Norfolk Prison Theatre program in 1970, training inmates in all aspects of theater production including stage direction, stage design, sound, lighting, music, and acting.  Three years later the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts became a subsidiary of the National Center of Afro-American Artists.  In the 1970s and 1980s a series of arson fires caused $2 million in damages.  The school had a long history of financial difficulties and was placed under legal receivership from 1975 to 1977.  It closed in 1990.

Bibliography

Background: Historical Summaries, Box 12 

Elma Ina Lewis papers (M38), 75th Anniversary, Box 11
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Series:
1. Administration, 1966-1992 (bulk 1973-1985)
Volume:1.25 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series documents the founding, management, staffing, and financial difficulties of the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts.  The series includes articles of organization, annual report filings, Board of Director correspondence and minutes, by-laws, a four-year work plan, legal/receivership correspondence, and personnel procedures.  Of special interest is a history of the school written by Elma Lewis in 1992.
BoxTitleDate
1Address Bookn.d.
1Advisory Real Estate Committee1975
1African Drum Newsletter1970
1Annual Report Filing1976-1983
1Appointment Schedulen.d.
1Articles of Organization1966, 1988
1Assurance of Equal Employment Opportunity1982
1Attorney General Filings1980-1983
Board of Directors
1Correspondencen.d., 1972-1985
1Listsn.d., 1973-1982
1Minutes (4 folders)1966-1983
1Bylawsn.d., 1966-1988
1Contract for Professional Services Between the Boston School Committee and Elma Lewis1967
1Copyright Office1974
1Dancing School License1975-1976
1Day Care Service Agreement1975-1976
1"The Elma Lewis School: A History"1992
1Four-Year Work Plan (1981-1984)1980-1981
1Interoffice Memorandan.d., 1974-1984
1Jewish Community1968-1971
Legal
1Correspondence (5 folders)n.d., 1972-1985
1Personnel (2 folders)1974-1977
1Receivership (9 folders)n.d., 1975-1983
1Metropolitan Planning Project1974
1Model City Contract1972
1Notes1983-1985
Personnel
1Action for Boston Community Development1972-1984
2Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA)1975-1978
2Harvard-Radcliffe College Work-Study Program1976
2Issues (2 folders)1970-1985
2Job Descriptionsn.d., 1972-1979
2Meetingsn.d., 1974-1983
2Principal (Sandi Bagley) (2 folders)n.d., 1979-1983
2Proceduresn.d., 1972-1978
2Resumes and Listsn.d., 1970-1985
2Petition1990-1991
2Room Rental Fees and Proceduresn.d.
2Six-Month Work Plan1981
2Student Publication: Celebrating Us! Little People1979
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Series:
2. Teaching Files, 1970-1985 (bulk 1976-1984)
Volume:9.75 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

The series documents the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts' educational programs in art, dance, drama, costuming, and music.  The bulk of the series is comprised of student files, which include student applications, attendance records, and teacher evaluations.  The series also includes class lists, class schedules, parent correspondence, registration forms, and teaching staff correspondence.
BoxTitleDate
2Class Lists (13 folders)n.d., 1971-1985
2Class Schedulesn.d., 1973-1983
2Parent Lists1976-1985
2Parents' Correspondencen.d., 1970-1985
2Parents' Newsletter1980
2Registrationn.d., 1975-1984
2School Calendar1973-1983
2Student Correspondence1974-1983
3-11Student Files A-Z1970-1984
2Teaching Schedules1970-1983
2Teaching Staff Correspondence1974-1983
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Series:
3. Programs and Events, 1954-1992 (bulk 1975-1984)
Volume:2.00 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Alphabetical
Summary:

This series documents the curriculum, events, and performances of the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts' art, costuming, dance, drama, and music departments.  These educational programs in particular underscore the school's mission to foster the arts to children and adults.  The series also documents other programs that were also part of the school's educational curriculum such as Annual Dance Concerts and Children's Music Recitals, and ensembles that the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts initiated and organized such as the Children's Theatre, Ethnic Dance Company, and the Primitive Dance Company.

Of special interest are materials documenting the Massachusetts Correctional Institute Norfolk Prison Theatre program; the Northeastern University partnership which outlined a joint educational curriculum with the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts; and the Playhouse in the Park program, including biographical and promotional materials on Duke Ellington.  Materials relating to these programs include general correspondence, memoranda, and brochures; departmental procedures; and correspondence and memoranda to and from the directors of the music and drama departments.

Also documented here are one-time arts-related and political events that the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts organized and/or sponsored such as International Women's Day, S'portin' Arts, Star Market/Elma Lewis Scholarship Program, and the Urban League National Convention.  Other events include the school's anniversaries and short-term projects such as the Tanglewood Project.  Materials relating to events include correspondence, memoranda, and brochures.
BoxTitleDate
Educational Programs
12Background: Historical Summaries (3 folders)n.d., ca. 1968-1992
Art Department
12Correspondencen.d., 1970-1982
12Curriculumn.d.
Costuming Department
12Correspondencen.d., 1977-1981
12Curriculum1977-1978
Dance Department
12Brochures (2 folders)1954-1967
12Correspondencen.d., 1973-1983
12Curriculumn.d., 1977-1978
Drama Department
12Correspondence (3 folders)n.d., 1969-1983
12Curriculumn.d., 1972-1979
12Director (Vernon Blackman) (4 folders)n.d., 1974-1990
12Proceduresn.d., 1972-1975
12Productionsn.d., 1973-1983
Ethnic Dance Company
12Correspondencen.d., 1971-1983
12Performancesn.d., 1979-1983
Music Department
12Correspondence (3 folders)n.d., 1971-1983
12Curriculumn.d., 1970-1983
12Director (John Andrew Ross)1972-1983
12Education Director (Betty Hillmon)1981-1985
12Proceduresn.d.
12Primitive Dance Companyn.d., 1970-1975
Other Programs
12African Orientation Programn.d.
12Annual Dance Concerts1965-1967
12Annual Music Recital1983
12Artists in Residence Programn.d., 1981-1984
12Black History Month Celebration1979-1984
12Boston Retired Senior Volunteer Program1978
12Brown University Partnership1979
12Children's Choral Concert1981
12Children's Music Recitalsn.d., 1970-1983
12Children's Opera1981
12Children's Theatren.d., 1978-1983
12Children's Workshops1976-1977
12Educational Cultural Study Center Proposaln.d.
12Exchange Program with Massachusetts College of Art1981
12Film Programn.d., 1966
Franklin Park
12Agreement1974
12Correspondencen.d., 1964-1983
12Eventsn.d., 1973-1984
12Jazz Life at Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts1978-1980
12Kids' Fair1980-1983
Massachusetts Correctional Institute Norfolk Prison Theatre Program
13Act Establishing a Department of Correction School Districtca. 1972
13Black Solidarity Day1975
13Blakrhythms Production (2 folders)1972
13Cadillac Alley Production1971
13Chaplain's Office1982-1983
13Class Listsn.d., 1975
13The Colony Bulletin1970
13Community Rehabilitation Center Proposal1971-1972
13Contract for Consultant Services between Department of Corrections and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts1971
13Correspondence (2 folders)n.d., 1969-1975
13Cultural Arts Programn.d., 1970
13Dance Director Affidavit (Billy Wilson)1970
13Final Report1972-1973
13Finances1970-1972
13Fund Raisingn.d., 1970-1974
13Graduation Program1971
13The Installment Plan Production1972
13Massachusetts Department of Correction: Newsletter1971
13Norfolk Graphic Art Proposal1971-1972
13Norfolk Prison Anthology1971
13Norfolk Resident Council1975
13Organizational Structure1971
13The Plague Production1970
13Play (unidentified)n.d.
13Policies Governing Programs in Department of Correction1968
13Probationers Seminar Programn.d.
13Program Description1970-1973
13Progress Report1972
13Property Book Sheetn.d.
13Publicityn.d.
13The Question Mark Bulletin1973
13Recruitment Plan1974
13Special Impact for the Development of Alternatives to Incarceration in Massachusettsca. 1972
13Standards and Guidelines for Intervention and Detoxification Facilities1972
13Summary of Agreements1971
13Technical Theatre Training Program Proposal1970
13Who Took the Weight? Black Voices from Norfolk Prison (publication)1972-1974
13Massachusetts Office for Children1977
13Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) Partnership1983
13Metropolitan Cultural Alliance Summer Project1975
13Nora Bostaph Recitaln.d., 1981-1983
13Northeastern University Partnership Plan1976-1978
13Opera Ensemble (Nora Bostaph)1983
13Opera Workshop1981
13Other Programs1972-1983
Playhouse in the Park
13General1968-1989
13Bookings1967-1975
13, FF4/D5Duke Ellingtonn.d.,1971
13Listn.d.
13Petition1988
13Project Four Worlds Program1979-1980
13Project YES1978-1980
13School Committee of the City of Boston Contract1975
13School Excursionsn.d., 1974-1979
13Summer Creative Arts Program1966
13Summer Programs1974-1984
13Sunday Afternoon Concert Series1976-1977
13Suzuki Festival1981-1983
13Suzuki Violin Presentations1979-1981
13Theater Ensemble1984
13University of Massachusetts: Amherst Work-Study1982-1984
13Workshopsn.d., 1972-1983
Events
13Franklin Furnace Archive Performance1980
13Harbor Festival1981
13International Women's Day1975
13Leo Leroy Beranek Reception1982
13Musical Performances1975-1983
13NAACP Act-So Competition1982
13Other Events (2 folders)n.d., 1970-1984
13S'portin' Arts1982
13Star Market/Elma Lewis Scholarship Program1982
13Statewide Ethnic Forum1976
13Tanglewood Project1975
1320th Anniversary1970
1323rd Anniversary1973
1325th Anniversary (2 folders)1974-1975
1325th Anniversary Contributions1975
1330th Anniversary1980
1335th Anniversary1985
13Urban League National Convention1976
13Woodrow Wilson School Project1978
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Series:
4. Correspondence, 1964-1989 (bulk 1971-1975)
Volume:1.25 cubic ft.
Arrangement:

Chronological
Summary:

The series contains correspondence from individuals asking for financial assistance from the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts; correspondence from schools and colleges requesting a performance; and general solicitations from national and local organizations related to African American arts and culture or to the Roxbury-Dorchester community.  Also included are letters of support for the school and its educational programs from Boston University, Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, NAACP, and Freedom House.
BoxTitleDate
14-15Correspondencen.d., 1964-1989
15Letters of Support1966-1982
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