Finding aid to the Open Forum Records 1973-1997 SFH 602

Finding aid compiled by Katherine Ets-Hokin
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
sfhistory@sfpl.org


Title: Open Forum: A School of Collective Learning Records
Date (inclusive): 1973-1997
Date (bulk): 1989-1995
Identifier/Call Number: SFH 602
Creator: Open Forum: A School of Collective Learning
Physical Description: 2 cartons (2 Cubic Feet)
Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Open Forum was a collective learning project based on the philosophy that an informed community is best able to guide its own future. The hierarchical academic tradition of teacher and students was replaced with a collective discussion group model applied in workshops and classroom settings. The idea was to transform education away from academics and popular culture. The project continued for 10 years with no paid staff, completely run by volunteers.
Physical Location: The collection is stored off-site.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Open Forum: A School of Collective Learning Records (SFH 602), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

Donated by Open Forum September, 2015.

Related Materials

Researchers are encouraged to see also: SFH 459, Bay Area Radical Teachers' Organizing Collective Records.

Conservation Note

During processing, parts of the collection were re-foldered and re-housed in acid-free folders and boxes. Some metal staples remain.

Materials Transferred

Photographs have been transferred to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains administrative papers: including bylaws, annual reports for one year, meeting minutes, brochures, and a statement of purpose. The collection also contains workshop/course materials, VHS and audio tapes, two Open Forum address stamps, and nine photographs.

Arrangement Note

The collection is arranged in 5 series: Series 1: Administrative, Series 2: Workshop/Course Materials, Series 3: Media, Series 4: Artifacts, Series 5: Photographs.

Administrative History

The mission of Open Forum was based on the philosophy that an informed community is best able to guide its own future. The idea was to transform education away from the academic and away from popular culture. The discussion groups were based upon learning and teaching each other rather than the model of a "teacher" and consuming students. Which is why the name included, a "School of Collective Learning."
The project was a non-profit and continued just short of ten years. There was no paid staff; all work was performed by volunteers.
Some of the topics covered included: Brechtian Studies; Capitalism; Censorship; Civil Rights; Criminal Law; Cultural Theory; Democracy; Economics; Education; Fascism; Housing; The Internet; Marxism; NAFTA; Politics; Pornography; Public Speaking; Race and Racism; Sexism; Violence and Resistance; White Supremacy; Women; and Writing.
Single events included: Abortion: Then and Now; Building a Women's Community; Community Forums on Injustice (Police Brutality) held in San Francisco and Oakland; Israel Palestinians and American Progressives; and What Next After Earth Day.
A teach-in leading up to the first Gulf War in 1991 included twenty five educational events within a one month period (February 4th to March 8th, 1991). Topics included: Art and Culture; Communities of Color; Direct Action; Economics; Effects at Home; Environmental Youth; History of the Region; Jewish Responses; Labor; Lesbian/Gay; Martial Law; Media; Racism; Veterans; and Women.
Open Forum attempted to develop a progressive/activist/leftist library and archive. Lack of resources terminated the project.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Education -- California -- San Francisco.
Education -- Curricula.
Alternative schools.

 

Series 1 Administrative

box 1, folder 1

Advertising 1991-1995

box 1, folder 2

Agendas, Timetables, etc. 1989-1993

box 1, folder 3

Alternative Information Network 1993

box 1, folder 4

Annual Reports 1994

box 1, folder 5-7

Art Show Fundraiser 1996

box 1, folder 8

Articles of Incorporation 1993

box 1, folder 9

Brochure Materials 1994

box 1, folder 10-12

Brochures 1990-1998

box 1, folder 13

Budgets 1992-1993

box 1, folder 14

Cheetham's List 1995

box 1, folder 15

Chicano Moratorium 1991-1992

box 1, folder 16

Community Forums 1992

box 1, folder 17

Convener Outreach circa 1995

box 1, folder 18

Convenor Support 1995

box 1, folder 19

Correspondence 1989-1992

box 1, folder 20

Creating Fire 1995

box 1, folder 21

Decennium Network circa 1995

box 1, folder 22

Discussion Group Summaries circa 1995

box 1, folder 23

Distribution 1991

box 1, folder 24

Earth Day 1991

box 1, folder 25

Educational Organizations 1993

box 1, folder 26

Educational Project 1992

box 1, folder 27

Evaluation Forms (blank) circa 1995

box 1, folder 28

Event Leaflets 1993-1998

box 1, folder 29

Facilities for Classes 1990-1991

box 1, folder 30

Feedback, Comments, Notes 1989-1991

box 1, folder 31-33

Foundations 1991-1996

box 1, folder 34

Gramsci 1990

box 1, folder 35

International Council for Adult Education 1992-1993

box 1, folder 36

Informational Leaflet 1989-1992

box 1, folder 37

Introduction Packets 1989

box 1, folder 38

Kilroy's Directory 1992

box 1, folder 39

Liberation School 1973-1976

box 1, folder 40-41

Library 1992-1995

box 1, folder 42

Library, Gay & Lesbian Historical Society 1991-1994

box 1, folder 43

Mail, Complaints, Threats 1991-1992

box 1, folder 44

Martinas, Sharon 1994

box 1, folder 45-46

Media 1981-1995

box 1, folder 47-48

Meeting Minutes 1991-1997

box 1, folder 49

Meeting Notes 1989-1992

box 1, folder 50

Monthly Forum 1991

box 1, folder 51

New College 1991

box 1, folder 52

New York Marxist School 1990-1992

box 1, folder 53

News From Nowhere 1994

box 1, folder 54-55

Open Forum 1989-1997

box 1, folder 56

Open University of the Left (Chicago) 1991

box 1, folder 57

Popular Education Conference 1990-1993

box 1, folder 58-63

Series 1991-1997

box 1, folder 64

Statement of Purpose 1991-1997

box 1, folder 65

Study Circles 1990-1992

box 1, folder 66-67

Survey 1990-1991

 

Series 2 Workshop/Course Materials

box 2, folder 1

Abortion 1993

box 2, folder 2-3

Capital Resources 1981-1994

box 2, folder 4

Curtis Moore 1992

box 2, folder 5

Earthday 1990

box 2, folder 6

Facilitation Workshop 1991

box 2, folder 7

From Lenin to Lorax circa 1990

box 2, folder 8

Government Repression CONINTELPRO 1990

box 2, folder 9

Ideology of Racism 1991

box 2, folder 10

Injustice in Our Communities 1992

box 2, folder 11

Contract With America 1995

box 2, folder 12

Introduction to Marxism circa 1990

box 2, folder 13

Israel, the Palestinians, and American Progressives 1977-1990

box 2, folder 14

Israel, Palestinians and the Persian Gulf Crisis 1990

box 2, folder 15

Politics of Sexuality circa 1990

box 2, folder 16

Politics of Stress 1990

box 2, folder 17

Pornagraphy 1990

box 2, folder 18

Public Secrets circa 1990

box 2, folder 19-22

Teach In 1991

box 2, folder 23

Towards a Progressive Agenda 1995

box 2, folder 24

USA Today 1990

box 2, folder 25-26

White Supremacy 1991-1993

box 2, folder 27

Winter 1991

box 2, folder 28-32

Women 1990

 

Series 3 Media

box 2

VHS 1992

Scope and Contents

1 VHS tape. Labeled: Open Forum - Injustice in Our Commmunities, Hunters Point Opera House
box 2

Audio Cassettes 1985-1986

Scope and Contents

3 audio cassettes. Labeled: Nicaragua Libre (2), Managus - Gary's Barrio Metagalapa Xmas Eve; "Conference on the Family" (1)
 

Series 4 Artifacts

box 2

Two address stamps

 

Series 5 Photographs

 

Table at Anti War Demonstration (1 photo) 1990-1991

 

Demonstration March (1 photo) 1990-1991

 

2940 16th Street (7 photos) circa 1995