Research

• Full Finding Aid
• Overview
• Arrangement
• Administrative History
• Scope and Contents
• Other Finding Aids
• Access Restrictions
• Access Terms
• Detailed Description

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New York State Council on the Arts Chairperson's Subject and Correspondence Files

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Arrangement

Roughly chronological, with subject files alphabetical therein.

Administrative History

The position of chairperson of the New York State Council on the Arts has been held by the following individuals: Seymour H. Knox (1960-1975); Joan Davidson (1975-1976); Kitty Carlisle Hart (1976-1996); Earle Mack (1996-1999); Richard Schwartz (1999-2007); Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell (2007-2009); Danny Simmons (2009-2011); and Aby Rosen (2011-2016); Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel (2016-2018); Katherine Nicholls (2018-present).

Scope and Content Note

The series includes correspondence between the chairperson and organizations inquiring about grants, as well as other groups interested in the council's work; inquiries from U.S. and state legislators concerning grant applications; copies of meeting minutes and supporting material; copies of budgets and program allocation plans; statements made by the chairperson to the New York State Assembly Ways and Means Committee; copies of council mailings; and correspondence and internal memorandums relating to particular programs of interest to the commissioner.

18912-98: The accretion consists of records of Kitty Carlisle Hart (1976-1992) and Joan Davidson (1975-1976) produced during their respective tenures leading the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). The bulk of the records pertain to Ms. Hart's tenure.

18912-01: This accretion further documents the tenure of Kitty Carlisle Hart as council chairperson and includes Ms. Hart's correspondence with council staff and with a wide variety of public and private organizations. Files include correspondence with grant applicants and recipients; correspondence with state legislators regarding funding for the arts; inquiries forwarded by the governor's office for council action; correspondence with the governor's staff during the Mario Cuomo years; monthly reports to the governor; correspondence with and publications from the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts; correspondence with the United States Information Agency regarding visits of international cultural organizations; annotated meeting minutes; and award recommendation summaries.

18912-02: This accretion contains numerous texts of Kitty Carlisle Hart's speeches, press conferences, and testimony before legislative and executive committees. Also included are cultural event programs, press clippings, annual report statements, budget hearing files, and correspondence documenting Ms. Hart's tenure of as council chairperson.

18912-04: This accretion contains texts of speeches, background materials, correspondence, and itineraries relating to Chairperson Kitty Carlisle Hart's appearance at a wide variety of public and private functions. Examples of venues include meetings of national, regional, and local arts associations; college and university commencement exercises and anniversary celebrations; performing arts center dedication ceremonies; local government commission hearings; state legislative committee hearings; arts awards ceremonies; performing arts company anniversary celebrations; public policy symposiums; and press conferences.

18912-12: This accretion contains subject and correspondence files from the tenures of chairpersons Kitty Carlisle Hart, Earle Mack, and Richard Schwartz. The correspondence of Kitty Carlisle Hart dates from 1993-1996. Earle Mack's records date from 1996-1999, and contain a variety of subject files such as chairman's proclamations/letters, advocacy, regional council meetings, financial disclosures, records relating to council members, contributions and tours. Richard Schwartz's subject files date from 1997-2007, and include records relating to council members, administration memorandums, correspondence with the Department of Civil Service and the Division of the Budget, and lists of yearly achievements.

Other Finding Aids

Available at Repository

Container list (folder list for selected boxes).

18912-01: Container list.

18912-12: Folder list.

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the material.

Access Terms

Detailed Description