MenuInventory of the Duke Artists Series records, 1931-2000
Abstract
The Duke Artists Series, founded in 1931, brings international music, opera, and dance performances to University venues. The Duke Artists Series was administered by the Office of Cultural Affairs and later, the Office of University Life. This collection includes programs, printed matter, correspondence, clippings, artist contracts, financial materials, and box office reports. Major subjects include Duke University, the Duke Artists Series, the Office of Cultural Affairs, the Office of University Life, and performing arts. Materials range in date from 1931-2000.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Duke Artists Series records, 1931-2000.
- Creator
- Duke University. Duke Artists Series.
- Extent
- 9.0 Linear Feet, , 6,000 Items
- Repository
- University Archives, Duke University
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
- Language
- English.
Collection Overview
Contains programs, printed matter, correspondence and artists contracts, and financial and box office reports pertaining to the Duke Artists Series. Materials range in date from 1931-2000.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.
For a period of twenty-five years from the origin of the material, permission in writing from the office of origin and the University Archivist is required for use. After twenty-five years, records that have been processed may be consulted with the permission of the University Archivist.
In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.
Use Restrictions
Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllContains administration and management materials including correspondence, financial statements and box office reports, a brief history of the series, advisory committee minutes, and lists of the series performers. Also includes contracts, correspondence, publicity materials, box office reports, and newspaper clippings.
Ordered alphabetically by topic.
Includes performance brochures, flyers, performance programs for each featured artist, and seasonal brochures.
Ordered chronologically.
Contains publicity photographs sent to Duke University by performer agencies and managers.
Ordered chronologically.
Historical Note
The Artists Series was founded in 1931, when an unfortunate fire at Raleigh's Memorial Auditorium forced a scheduled concert by piano great Ignace Paderewski to be moved to Duke's Page Auditorium. Paderewski played to an enthusiastic crowd, albeit in near complete dark due to his stage fright, and in the midst of a winter snowstorm. After its unscheduled beginning, the Artists Series soon became a cultural institution on campus and in the community. From the start, the Series presented established and admired international performers in classical music, opera, ballet, and folk and modern dance.
Each academic year, an average of six performances have been scheduled, primarily in Page Auditorium, although Cameron Indoor Stadium has been used for unusually large or popular performing groups such as the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Examples of artists who have performed as part of the Artists Series include Jascha Heifetz, the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, Yehudi Menuhin, Artur Rubinstein, Martha Graham, the Robert Shaw Chorale, Andres Segovia, Isaac Stern, Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price, and Murray Perahia amongst many others. The Artists Series was directed from its inception to 1956 by J. Foster Barnes, Director of Social and Religious Affairs. William J. Griffith, Director of the Student Union and later of Student Affairs, led the Series from 1956 to 1969 when Ella Fountain Pratt took over its leadership under the Office of Cultural Affairs. Upon Pratt's retirement in 1984, Susan L. Coon, as Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, assumed administration of the program. As of the 2000-2001 academic year, the Artists Series is administered by Coon under the Office of University Life. There is an advisory committee chaired by the Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs (or University Life). The ten member committee is composed of at least two members of the Music Department, two general faculty, two members of the community, four students from the major dance and music organizations, and the chairperson of the University Union Performing Arts Committee. The advisory committee is responsible for the final selection of series performers and the approval financial arrangements accompanying these selections.
Subject Headings
Related Material
- Office of Cultural Affairs records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
- Office of University Life records. (University Archives, Duke University.)
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Duke Artists Series records, University Archives, Duke University.
Provenance
Transfer; 2000; A2000-65.
Transfer; 2002; A2002-35.
Processing Information
Processed by Sarah G. Carr
Completed 2000
Encoded by Joshua McKim, Emily Glenn, April 2003
Updated by Sherrie Bowser, March 2007.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.