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Compton Communicative Arts Academy Collection
MS.2006.001
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: Compton Communicative Arts Academy Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2006.001
Identifier/Call Number: /repositories/2/resources/20
Physical Description:
10.21 Linear Feet
Date (bulk): 1968-1985
Abstract: The Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) archive preserves and documents a rare and visual
narrative of postwar Black communities continuing efforts of representation in the greater Los Angeles from 1968-1985.
The archives focal point is the Black Arts Movement and the integral role played by the Communicative Arts Academy
(CAA).
Language of Material: English .
The Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) archive preserves and
documents a rare and visual narrative of postwar Black communities continuing
efforts of representation in the greater Los Angeles from 1968-1985. The
archives focal point is the Black Arts Movement and the integral role played by
the Communicative Arts Academy (CAA).
CAA originated from the Compton – Willowbrook – Enterprise Community Action
Agency (CWECCA) which was established in 1967 by The Office of Economic
Opportunity (OEO) to create and fund Community Action Programs (CAP's) also
known as "anti-poverty programs." CAA offered programming in visual arts
(sculpture, photography, and printing), performing arts (theater, dance, and
music), and utilitarian arts (textiles, garment, bi-lingual expression).
CAA saw art as an attainment of functional assets that could be of use for career
attainment. Participants received incentive bonus as compensation for their
attendance all the while exploring personal efficiency, constructing outlets for
creative expression, and collaborating with people who shared similar interest.
CAA provided a recording studio, a coffee house, a photo lab etc. This space
was available yearly from 10am-10pm.
During the inception of OEO programs, Ford was sought out to be the
Photography Coordinator of the CAA. Previously, Ford had been a color film
processor and chemical mixer at A&G Photo Lab and Hecht Custom Color Lab.
Ford was also a Community Coordinator at the University of Southern California
(USC) where he was in charge of documenting educator's experiences and
attitudes towards their immediate communities.
Over the years Willie Ford's images resulted in compilations of paintings and
murals by prominent Black artists of the time including John Outterbridge and
Elliott Pinkney. The images also consist of musical performances by CAA's band
"The Communicative Artists" and theatrical performances by "The Robeson
Players." Further, the photographs capture CAA's office management by
predominantly Black women, Head Start ceremonies, sculpture instruction,
dance instruction, band practice, performances, conferences, festivals etc.
Finally, the publications demonstrate CAA efforts in disseminating information
about their institution. This includes information about their origins, mini
biographies of prominent people, and brochures promoting their workshops.
The visuals reaffirm that CAA proved to be a vital platform of self-empowerment
and self-representation for and by Compton's Black residents. The archive
represents daily communal efforts in creating art centered platforms that
encapsulate history, memory, testimony, culture, and political views.
Access by appointment. Contact Special Collections.
Copyright restrictions apply.
Existence and Location of Originals
California State University, Los Angeles,
John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by
Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California
State University, Los Angeles
The materials in the Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) archive
were created from 1968-1985 by Communicative Arts Academy's (CAA)
coordinator of photography, Willie Ford. The bulk of this collection contains
negatives ranging from 35mm negatives, 35mm negative slides, and 120mm
negatives followed by photographs, and publications. The visual narrative
contains information on events surrounding the CCA. The collection details a
visual historical narrative of the city of Compton through the arts. The collection
documents and preserves Black memory, testimony, tradition, and culture in
Compton.
Some of the materials for the Compton Communicative Arts Academy have been
digitized on the Online Archive of California (OAC) a free domain accessible to
the public. The 200 items in this digital collection were selected from an
unorganized collection of over 4,100 photographs, negatives, slides and
ephemera by two faculty members from the Library and the Liberal Studies
Department. The criteria for selection were images that illustrated buildings,
places, programming, artwork, performances, people, events, and Willie Ford as
a photographer. This phase of the project was part of the California Local History
Digital Resources Project supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library
Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act,
administered in California by the State Librarian.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Compton (Calif.)
Black Arts movement
African American art
Photography--Negatives
Negatives
Artists and Community--California--Los Angeles
Photographs
Publications