Duke Artists Series records, 1931-2000

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Summary

Creator:
Duke University. Duke Artists Series
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. English.
Extent:
9 Linear Feet
6,000 Items
Language:
English.
Collection ID:
UA.07.05.0001
University Archives Record Group:
07 -- Academic Affairs
07 -- Academic Affairs > 05 -- The Arts

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:

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.

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Subjects

Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.

Subjects:
Performing Arts -- United States
Names:
Duke University. Duke Artists Series
Duke University. Duke Artists Series
Duke University. Office of Cultural Affairs
Duke University. Office of University Life

Contents

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Restrictions:

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws 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; 48 hours advance notice is required for use.

Terms of access:

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.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Duke Artists Series Records, Duke University Archives, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.