Physical Description: 1 Folder
Physical Location:
Related Materials:
For materials on the
School of Fine Arts (1961-1972), see Box 16.
Physical Location:
Related Materials:
For materials on the
Fine Arts Program (1973-), see Box 15.
Physical Location:
Related Materials:
For materials on the
Museum, see Box 22.
Scope and Content Note
This subseries contains materials related to the Fine Arts Department and Committee, while it was under the
School of Education and the
University Institute,
and before it became the
School of Fine Arts.
Variant Names: Fine Arts Program; Fine Arts Committee.
Biography/Organization History
Historical Note:
From 1949, originally under the School of Education and the University Institute, the
Fine Arts Department/Program offered
courses in drama, dance, music, and annually presented public performances utilizing the creative talents of Jewish
artists and writers. It was fist headed by Benjamin Zemach, and Max Helfman joined in the early 60s and later became the Dean
of the School of Fine Arts.
At the Ardmore Campus and the Sunset Campus, Zemach directed a theater and dance company that put on many successful shows.
In 1953, for example, the University's
Production and the Concert of Jewish Music attracted a total audience of 3,000 people and was hailed by public and critic
alike. The
Fine Arts
Committee
(also known as the Museum and Art Committee by 1960) sponsored public presentations, the Art Gallery, the Museum, and more.
From 1958 it was chaired by Mrs. Rose (Maurice) Turner.
There was also a
Theatre Arts Committee (Chaired by Mrs. Samuel P. Shapiro, co-chair Mrs. Max Laemmle, and under
the guidance of Benjamin Zemach), and the
Music Committee (Founded in 1959, Chairman Mr. Edward Robbins and co-chair Mrs. Felix Selner). In 1961, this department became the
School of Fine Arts.