Records of the Integrated Arts Program

The records of the Integrated Arts Program fill one box and span the years 1986 to 1999, with the bulk of the papers dating between 1986 and 1991. The records document the planning, funding, and organization of the Program, as well as its activities, and course offerings.

The Program background and introductory bulletins files are arranged chronologically and span the dates 1986 to 1998. They contain several summaries of the Program including background, curriculum, proposed course syllabus guides, and participating faculty. Of interest in the Program background file is a brief biography of the professors teaching courses in the Program from the years 1987 to 1988.

Perhaps the most useful and comprehensive item in the series is a Program Notebook containing background, foundation, and implementation documents. The notebook, originally housed in a binder, is divided into two sections—Notebook One and Notebook Two—with each having two parts. Materials in the notebooks are arranged in reverse chronological order and date between 1986. Notebook One, part I contains correspondence with the Ford Foundation concerning their approval of a $450,000 grant for the Integrated Arts Program. Of significance are the financial and budget reports for the years 1989 to 2002. Part II contains correspondence with the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation concerning their $75,000 grant and several letters from WCAS, Undergraduate Affairs, Academic Affairs, and General Studies offering suggestions about the Program's curriculum. Of importance is a 28-page overview of the Integrated Arts Program dated 1988.

Notebook Two, part I contains the meeting minutes of the Integrated Arts curriculum committee, including a list of its members. Part II contains letters to Carol Simpson Stern from different art departments concerning the procedures for approving new courses for the Program. Of special interest are a mission statement of the Integrated Arts Program drafted in April of 1987 and a profile of Northwestern dated April of 1986.

The correspondence file consists of Carol Simpson Stern's letters concerning recruitment and announcements of the Program. Press releases and clippings include newspaper articles and an announcement of the Ford Foundation Grant.

Flyers and announcements, mostly dating 1998, include informational postings about the Integrated Arts Program.

The course descriptions file consists of syllabi and course descriptions of classes offered between 1987 and 1998. Of significance is the file A90 containing a complete syllabus, including required readings, for the introductory class, and the file C90 containing the complete syllabus for the performance seminar and includes student's assignments.

Two undated exit surveys give an idea of student reaction to the Program. Student papers (access restricted) include four dated 1999, one of the final years of the Program.