MS01.03.03 - Box 01 - Folder 02 - Amistad II - Art Caravan Correspondence, 1973-1974

ReadAboutContentsHelp

Pages

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0018
Complete

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0018

Suggested Members of Advisory Board for Amistad Caravan

Edward Spriggs, Studio Museum of Harlem, New York City

Marvin Sadik, Portrait Gallery, Washington, D. C.

John Kinnard, Anacostia Museum, Washington, D. C.

Earl Hooks, Fisk University

Richard Long, Afro-American Studies, Atlanta University

Clifton Johnson, Amistad Research Center, New Orleans

Harold Long, pastor, member of Evangelism Task Force, BHM

Herman Long, president, Talladega College

Jennifer Lawson, 1776

Warren Robbins, Museum of African Art, Washington, D. C.

Robert Seaver, Union Theological Seminary, New York City

Benson E. Snyder, Tougaloo College

Robert Holmes, Jr., composer in residence, Fisk

Vernon E. Jordan, Jr., Director, Urban League

Mildred Bond, NAACP, New York City

Carlton Moss, film maker, Wexler Films, 1827 Hollywood Avenue, Hollywood, California 90028

E. Barry Gaither, Director, Afro-American Center, Boston

Keith Morrison, Associate Dean, College of Fine Arts, University of Illinois, Chicago

Donald Brooks, designer, New York City

Andrew Young, congressman, Washington, D. C.

Last edit over 3 years ago by shakurra
MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0019
Complete

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0019

DRAFT

MEMORANDUM

UNITED CHURCH BOARD FOR HOMELAND MINISTRIES 287 Park Avenue South New York, N. Y. 10010

Date December 20, 1973

To: Paul Sherry

From: Wes Hotchkiss

In re: Division of Higher Education and AMA Involvement in Bicentennial Commemoration

Paul, as we agreed at the meeting in my office, December 12 on Bicentennial

planning, I am sending through to you a memorandum concerning the

Bicentennial planning of the Division of Higher Education and AMA. I am also

including information handed to me by Ruth Spragg. Other divisions have not

provided any additional information. I would like to see the Division of Higher

Education and AMA make its central and visible involvement in the Bicentennial

commemoration through raising within the church and our higher education

institutions and the arts community an increased consciousness of the shifting

role the esthetic dimension is playing in the latter part of this century. This

will be done by providing a forum in which the religious communities, the arts

and persons concerned with ongoing American Revolution can explore their

common cause and support of those projects which enhance our pluralistic

options in the arts and which affect the grassroots of our nation.

The national phenomenon of the increased interest in the arts at and for the

grassroots of our nation coincides with the Bicentennial era. As Harvey Cox

states in "Feast of Fools": "I see more clearly than I did five years ago (when

Last edit over 3 years ago by shakurra
MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0020
Complete

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0020

Division of Higher Education and AMA Involvement in Bicentennial Commemoration

he wrote "The Secular City") that the changes we need are much more

fundamental than I thought originally .... (that is, in the early '60s)."

The Division of Higher Education and the AMA is helping provide staff for the

Religious Communities, the Arts and the American Revolution, an independent,

ecumenical group, to continue to provide a forum to address the concern their title implies.

In addition, we are developing the Amistad Art Caravan. See attached description.

We propose that one-third of the cost of this project derive from United Church

of Christ related funds and that the Amistad Art Caravan be seen as a visible

contribution by the United Church to the nation during its Bicentennial

commemoration. To that end, I urge that this project be included in any proposal

to the Executive Council of the United Church. And, also, I would appreciate

guidance as to how this might properly fit into the priority or other funding

channels.

The Amistad Art Caravan will (1) provide quality and depth input into a period

of our nation's history, which is in danger of being overrun by superficial or

duplistic efforts; (2) give currency to a little known but fascinating epic

in the development of the nation; (3) give currency to one of white culture's

nobler responses to one of the tragic elements in our history; (4) provide

an esthetic expression consistent with the character and heritage of our

traditions comparable to the rich liturgical contribution Episcopal, Lutheran,

Roman Catholic or Orthodox churches can make out their heritage and

commitment; (5) build liaison between the church and arts communities;

(6) increase a

Last edit over 3 years ago by shakurra
MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0022
Complete

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0022

There is a rising national consiousness that esthetic awareness

is fundamental to the quality of people’s lives and that technology

is dangerously counter productive when it is cut off from esthetic and

intuitive guidance.

It is now almost a matter of jargon that the Bicentennial of

the American Revolution ought not to be taken lightly but ought to be

viewed as a profound opportunity for the nation to re-examine its own

ideals, premises and purpose of its founding and to struggle anew for

their expression in our national life.

The revolutionary movements of the late eighteenth century

were part of a great single tide that was directed against elites,

narrow power groups, hereditary castes and other forms of social

privilege. And in the 1970s the revolution continues as persons are

claiming their right to share the art treasures which are the heritage of the

human race and are insisting their own esthetic asperation be

acknowledged as ’’fine. ” The European, urban and economic and

educational elite colonialism of the arts is breaking up.

The unfinished agenda of the '60s is no less pressing in the

’70s and yet these issues will not be met with the same tools as in the

’60s.

Partly as a result of political muddle but partly out of fresh

recognition of the role the esthetic dimension can play, major federal

funding for the Bicentennial seems to be flowing through the National

Endowment for the Arts. And 1976 will see the culmination of a change

Last edit over 3 years ago by shakurra
MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0023
Complete

MS01.03.03.B01.F02.0023

2

in the philosophy of federal funding to the arts.

(1) For the sake of the singular contribution the arts make to

human meaning and value; (2) for the sake of the quality of life of

society itself, (3) for the sake of the arts themselves; (4) for the sake

of the unique understanding the United Church of Christ can bring;

(5) and for the sake of the renewal and viability of the church itself—

it is proposed that: the Bicentennial period (from now to 1977) be

designated as a time to participate in raising the consciousness of society

to the realization that the esthetic dimension is essential in the quest

for quality in life for all members of society in the third century of the

United States.

2. That an ad hoc advisory committee drawn from the Executive

Committee, Board for Homeland Ministries and Board for

World Ministries be formed to guide development of program.

3. That $15, 000 per year be granted the Division of Higher

Education of the Board for Homeland Ministries in fiscal 1974 for

planning and development.

4. That program reflect the precepts of the General Synod.

Last edit over 3 years ago by shakurra
Displaying pages 16 - 20 of 26 in total