B. Audio-Visual Materials

The series documents the efforts of the Center, the School, and the Museum to promote their performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits to the African American and arts communities, utilizing the press, radio, and television. The series contains correspondence, memoranda, brochures, press kits, flyers, and press releases, newspaper clippings that document most aspects of the performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits produced by the Center, the School, and the Museum. The clippings are arranged chronologically.

The highlight of the series is the visual material that is composed of photographs (both promotional and candid), videotapes, 16 mm films, and posters. Although not as comprehensive as the newspaper clippings, these materials provide important visual documentation of Elma Lewis's personal and professional life and of the performances, ensembles, events, and exhibits produced by the National Center of Afro-American Artists Reception, the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, or the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists.

The National Center of Afro-American Artists photographs portray artists such as Duke Ellington, Eubie Blake, Lois Mailou Jones, Katherine Dunham, and the Center's choral group; the Muhammad Ali benefit event; various dance performances; the Senator Edward Brooke tribute; the Evening at Pops with Randy Weston; and performances of Black Nativity and Black Persuasion. Also included in the Center photographs are exterior and interior shots of Temple Mishkan Tefila and building shots of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists headquarters at 300 Walnut Avenue. The Center videotapes, films, and posters relate to Black Nativity, Say Brother, and the Milestones and Marvels Calendar fund-raising project.

The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts photographs document Playhouse in the Park, including a shot of Duke Ellington performing, Franklin Park, MCI Norfolk Prison Theatre drama productions, and students in classes and various musical and dance performances. The Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts videotapes and films, including "We Hold These Truths," document the educational programs.

The Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists photographs relate largely to artists and exhibits, including the Museum and Museum of Fine Art's first collaboration on an exhibition, Afro-American Artists: New York and Boston in 1970. The Museum videotapes and posters also relate mostly to artists and exhibits, including Lois Mailou Jones, Allan R. Crite, and Harriet Kennedy.

Photographs documenting Elma Lewis' personal and professional life include award ceremonies, Camp Atwater, Lewis' friends and family, speaking engagements, West Africa, teaching dance, and various public relations events. The videotapes include interviews of Elma Lewis in which she spoke about living in Roxbury, the history of the National Center of Afro-American Artists and the Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts, and winning the MacArthur Foundation Prize Fellowship.

For information on the contents of the videotapes, films, audiotapes, and for a listing of the posters, see the control file.