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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.
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
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
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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
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.