League of Allied Arts records

Collection

Identifier: AMN 1158

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The League of Allied Arts records consists of the documents concerning the foundation of the Charleston branch, as well as some of its earliest events. The collection contains three series. Series 1 (Administrative) houses the documents relative to the organization itself, with three folders titled Institutional Documents, Correspondences between Edwina Whitlock between other LAA members and potential donors, and Reports and Meeting Minutes respectively. Series 2 (Events) contains each of the documents which are pertinent to the events that were sponsored by the LAA, featuring the Howard University Choir and The Talladega College Tour Choir most prominently. Series 3 (Publications) contains articles from The News and Courier (February 27, 1987), Black Music Research Newsletter (Vol. 9, No. 1, 1987), The Charleston Chronicle (Vol. 17, No. 14, 1987 and April 16, 1987 and n.d.), an exhibit program for Painter of an Era 1882-1931 (1983), a bulletin of the Avery Institute (Vol. VIII, No. 1, 1988) full volume of Black Music Research Journal (Vol. 7, 1987), as well as promotional pamphlets from The College Music Society (n.d.), and Center for Black Music Research (n.d.).

Dates

Creation: 1983-1988
Creation: Majority of material found within 1986-1988

Historical Note

The League of Allied Arts (LAA) is an organization of Black women who celebrate and help to locally advance a plethora of elements of culture, such as painting, acting, choiring, literature, etc. The organization was initially founded in Los Angeles, CA, by Dorothy Vena Johnson and Juanita Miller in 1939, which is still active to this day. Edwina Whitlock was a member of the organization during her time in California; and started a new branch of the organization in 1986 upon her relocation back to Charleston, South Carolina. This organization helped to promote the arts in the Charleston area, by participating with other Charleston arts organizations and planning their own programs. The organization was funded by members and community stakeholders.

Founding members include Sandra W. Campbell, Lillian Hern, Rosa Lampkin, Maurice Lee, Elise Davis-McFarland, Priscilla Robinson, Delma M. Woods, Minerva King, Marie Simpson, Maude Jenkins, and Muriel Potts.

Extent

0.21 linear feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The League of Allied Arts (LAA) is an organization of Black women who celebrate and help to locally advance a plethora of elements of high culture. The organization was initially founded in Los Angeles, CA, in 1939, however, Edwina Whitlock created a new branch of the organization upon her relocation back to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1986. This collection highlights the documents from its foundation and earliest years, from 1986 to 1988. There are three series. Administrative includes documents relative to the organization itself, its history, its structure, organization, as well as meeting minutes and correspondences. Events contains each of the documents which are pertinent to the events that were sponsored by the LAA. Publications contains the issues of journals and bulletins.

Collection Arrangement

1. Administrative, 1982-1988

1.1. Institutional Documents, 1982-1988

1.2. Reports and Meeting Minutes, 1986-1988

1.3. Correspondence, 1986-1988

2. Events, 1987-1988

3. Publications, 1987-1988