Arthur Mitchell Collection, 1800s-2021, bulk 1934-2019
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Collection context
- Creator:
- Mitchell, Arthur, 1934-2018
- Abstract:
- Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder and director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. This collection contains materials related to his career as a dancer with the New York City Ballet, and his later professional work with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and others. The collection includes administrative records, appointment books, correspondence, invitations, notes, notebooks, photographs, posters, programs, and audio and video recordings.
- Extent:
- 107 linear feet 148 boxes (58 record cartons, 68 document boxes, 9 flat boxes, 3 audio boxes, 5 card files, 2 Tube Boxes) and 8 oversized items in drawers
- Language:
- English .
- Scope and content:
-
Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) was an American ballet dancer, choreographer, and founder and director of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. This collection contains materials related to his career as a dancer with the New York City Ballet, and his later professional work with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and others. The collection includes administrative records, appointment books, correspondence, invitations, notes, notebooks, photographs, posters, programs, and audio and video recordings.
The records in the collection are primarily arranged into two series: Arthur Mitchell and Dance Theatre of Harlem. In general, while there is some overlap, records in the Dance Theatre of Harlem series relate directly to Mitchell's administrative and artistic work with that organization. The Arthur Mitchell series contains materials that are both personal and professional, such as address books, appointment books, correspondence, telephone messages, notebooks, and photographs. The series also contains materials related to Mitchell's professional career as a dancer with the New York City Ballet, as well as his appearances, awards, and other professional work. The series also contains articles, programs, and other printed materials on dance and other subjects of interest to Mitchell.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem records contain extensive documentation of Mitchell's administrative work with the organization from its early years to the early 2000s. These files contain information on many of the activities of the organization including education programs, fundraising, residencies, outreach, partnerships, performances, public relations, strategic planning, and tours. After the early 2000s, as Mitchell's administrative work became less over time, there are less extensive records. The records of the dance company itself are not included in this collection, as the company still holds its own records. However, there are some administrative records related to the company's activities in the collection, as well as brochures, photographs, programs, and video recordings.
The collection includes both audio and video recordings related to Arthur Mitchell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem, as well as other dance-related recordings. These include events, interviews, music, performances, and samples of work sent to Mitchell by other choreographers.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) was a dancer, choreographer, and director. He was the first African American to become a principal dancer with a major ballet company, the New York City Ballet, in 1962. He co-founded the Dance Theatre of Harlem with Karel Shook in 1969.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Material currently listed in this finding aid is processed and available for use in the reading room with the exceptions noted above. Awards and three-dimensional objects remain un-processed and these materials are not available for research use at this time.
The following boxes are located off-site: 108-122, 124, 133-142. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least five business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
- Terms of access:
-
Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Preferred citation:
-
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Arthur Mitchell Collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu