Visual and Performing Arts College, 1957+ | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: Visual and Performing Arts College, 1957+

Predominant Dates:1957-1997

ID: RHC/UA/27/

Extent: 28.75 Linear Feet

Arrangement: The College of Visual and Performing Arts record group consists of two series: college records and department records. The department records are arranged alphabetically.

Date Acquired: 00/00/1965

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The College of Visual and Performing Arts record group consists of two series: college records and department records. The department records are arranged alphabetically. There is also a substantial addendum of programs for art exhibitions, music and theater performances.

The college records consist of college council/senate minutes (1973-1985); curriculum committee minutes (1965+); records for the Artist Series Board, Artrain, Committee for Arts and Cultural Programs; costume files for university plays and dance programs from (1966-1998); and correspondence with departments and on various topics. Although the Departments of Home Economics and Industry & Technology are no longer in this college, there is some correspondence concerning their programs (1960-1964). Except for accreditation reports from 1980-1981, the department records are very scant and primarily contain newsletters, pamphlets and circulars. One folder containing College Council Meeting Minutes (1965-1969) is located in UA 26, Box 2, Folder 17. More information on the history of the College of Visual and Performing Arts may be found in other University Archives record series.

Collection Historical Note

In July 1959 the university established the College of Fine and Applied Arts containing the Departments of Art, Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Music, and Business. The Department of Business was fragmented in 1960 and established as the College of Business in 1961. On December 4, 1973 the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved the establishment of the College of Visual and Performing Arts composed of the Departments of Art, Music, and Theater Arts (formerly in the Department of Speech). Home Economics and Industrial Arts were transferred to the new College of Professional Studies.

As early as 1899 the College offered courses in drawing. It was not until 1921 that the administration formed a Department of Fine Arts. This was reorganized as the Department of Art in July 1958. Music also had an early start. Music is listed in the first catalog although a music teacher was not employed until the Fall of 1901. After becoming a department in 1921, Music offered only a special four year program until 1950. On July 6, 1972 the Illinois Board of Higher Education approved a proposal requesting the separation of the theater component from the Department of Speech to create a Department of Theater with responsibility for majors at the bachelors and masters level. When moved to the College of Visual and Performing Arts, Theater Arts established a dance division which previously had been offered in the Department of Physical Education for Women. In August 1999 the School of Theatre Arts became the School of Theatre and Dance.

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: There are no restrictions on access to the records.

Use Restrictions: Literary rights are dedicated to the public.

Acquisition Method: The University Archives acquired the College of Visual and Performing Arts in several installments beginning in the mid-1960's.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: College Records],
[Series II: Departmental Records],
[Addendum 1],
[Addendum 2: Art, Music, Theater and Dance Programs],
[All]

Addendum 2: Art, Music, Theater and Dance Programs

Box 51A

Folder 1: Art Exhibits: L. Eveline Merritt Gallery, 1955-1957
Folder 2: Art Exhibits: Fine Arts Gallery, 1960-1970
Folder 3: Art Exhibits: Visual Arts Building Gallery, 1971-1974
Folder 4: Art Exhibits: The Faculty Collects Exhibit, 1969
Folder 5: Art Exhibits: Holmes Student Center/University Center Gallery, (1969-1977)
Folder 6: Art Exhibits: Gallery 200, (1973-1981)
Folder 7: Art Exhibits: Swen Parson Gallery, 1979-1981
Folder 8: Art Exhibits: Altgeld Gallery, 2nd Floor, 1993-1998
Folder 9: Art Exhibits: Gallery in Chicago, (1995-2006)
Folder 10: Art Exhibits: Jack Olson Memorial Gallery, (1998-2000)
Folder 11: Art Exhibits: Campus Exhibits, 1970-1972, 1999
Folder 12: Art Exhibits: ARTS:USA, Fine Arts Festival, (1969-1979)
Folder 13: Art Exhibits: Fine Arts Festival/Festival of Music and Art, (1965-1976)

Box 51B

Folder 1: Art Exhibits: Off-Campus Exhibits, (1969-1973), (2002-2009)
Folder 2: Art Exhibits: NIU Art Museum, Museum Notes, etc., (1999-2009)
Folder 3: Art Exhibits: NIU Art Museum, Schedules, Notices, and Exhibit Catalogs, (2005-2011)

Box 52

Folder 1-2: Music Programs: Artist Series, 1962-1979
Folder 3-4: Music Programs: Band Concerts, (1937-1979)
Folder 5: Music Programs: Music For Youth Camp, 1959-1971
Folder 6: Music Programs: Summer Concerts, 1962-1971
Folder 7: Music Programs: Madrigal Singers, 1956-1979
Folder 8: Music Programs: Opera, 1934, 1962-1980, 1993-
Folder 9: Music Programs: Symphony Orchestra, 1952-1980

Box 53

Folder 1: Music Programs: Annual Choral Sing, 1968, 1970
Folder 2: Music Programs: Black Choir, 1978-1979
Folder 3: Music Programs: Concert Choir, 1954-1980
Folder 4: Music Programs: Men's Glee Clubs, (1913-1967)
Folder 5: Music Programs: Summer Chorus, 1968-1973
Folder 6: Music Programs: Treble Clef, (1904-1964)
Folder 7: Music Programs: University Chorus, (1945-1980)
Folder 8: Music Programs: University Women's Chorus, 1965-1974

Box 54

Folder 1-19: Music Programs: Faculty Recitals: Soloists and Ensembles, (1928-1996)

Box 55

Folder 1-6: Music Programs: Student Recitals: Juniors and Seniors, (1936-1979)

Box 56

Folder 1-10: Music Programs: Student Ensembles: Brass, Percussion, Saxophone, Wind, Woodwind Quintet, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, The Electric Stereopticon, Group for New Music, Jazz, 1961-1980
Folder 11-12: Music Programs: Graduate Recitals, 1964-1978

Box 57

Folder 1-13: Music Programs: Concert Programs, General, 1956-1971

Box 58

Folder 1-8: Music Programs: Concert Programs, General, 1971-1980, 1990-

Box 59

Folder 1: Theater: Alpha Psi Omega (also 2 photographs, 1950), 1945-1957
Folder 2: Theater: Black Theater Workshop, (1970-1979)
Folder 3: Theater: Center Stage, 1962-1964
Folder 4: Theater: Dance and Orchesis, (1956-1978), 1990-
Folder 5: Theater: Dramatic Club, (1912-1937)
Folder 6: Theater: Junior Class Plays, 1900-1919
Folder 7: Theater: Players Theater, 1976-1980
Folder 8: Theater: Senior Class Plays, 1901-1931
Folder 9: Theater: Student Repertory Company Woodwind Quintet, 1970-1971
Folder 10: Theater: Studio Theater, 1964-1980
Folder 11: Theater: Summer Theater, 1962-1979
Folder 12: Theater: Theater-Music Programs, 1963-1974
Folder 13-14: Theater: University Theater, 1958-1980, 1990-
Folder 15: Theater: Miscellaneous Productions, (1902-1951)
Folder 16: Theater: Broadsides, 1963-1978, 1997-1998
Folder 17: Theater: Theatre Arts Programs, (1986-1992), (2003-2011)

Browse by Series:

[Series I: College Records],
[Series II: Departmental Records],
[Addendum 1],
[Addendum 2: Art, Music, Theater and Dance Programs],
[All]