Finding aid for the Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts Records, 1968-1979
Title:
Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts Records, 1968-1979
Repository:
Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, The University of Akron
Phone: 330-972-7670
http://www.uakron.edu/libraries/archives
Creator:
Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts
Dates:
1968-1979
Quantity:
.75 cubic feet (2 Document Cases)
Abstract:
 The Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts Records contain materials pertaining to the formation and organization of the Greater Akron Arts Federation and Akron Area Council for the Arts. The records include correspondence, minutes, membership records, financial statements, and publications.
Identification:
99/96
Language:
The records are in English

History of the Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts

The Greater Akron Arts Federation (GAAF) was formed on May 16, 1968 for the purpose of acting as a "clearing house" for Akron area art groups. Its purpose was to bring together the Akron arts leaders to solve common problems shared by all members and organizations, and allow for some administrative and organizational standardization to be achieved. The institution published a monthly arts calendar in the Akron Beacon Journal to provide Akron's citizens with a reference source for its arts activities.

From the time of the Federation's inception, William D. Plant, Jr. was president, and John Rebenack served as acting treasurer. Some of the member organizations of GAAF included the Akron Art Institute, Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Jewish Center, Akron Public Library, Akron Public Schools, Blossom Music Center, Children's Concert Society, Coach House Theatre, Greater Akron Musical Association, Kent State University, Stan Hywet Hall Foundation, Summit County Historical Society, Tuesday Musical Club, The University of Akron, and the Weathervane Playhouse. Unfortunately, GAAF possessed limited resources, a lack of a full-time staff, and a relatively narrow membership base and community support.

In 1975, the GAAF was dissolved and the Akron Area Council for the Arts (AACA) was formed with the purpose of advising, encouraging, and educating individuals, groups, and the community at large in the appreciation, enjoyment, and support of the arts. The AACA executive director was Sarah Coyle, a former GAAF coordinator, while John Rebenack remained the acting treasurer. Additional organizational members included the Akron Bureau of Parks and Recreation, Cuyahoga Valley Arts Center, Friends of Hower House, Goodyear Musical Theatre, Hale Farm and Village, Ohio Ballet, and the Ohio Music Teachers Association. The organization is inactive today.

Scope and Content

The Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts Records will be of use to anyone interested in local cultural history and the history of local arts and cultural organizations. The records trace the historical transition from the GAAF to the present day AACA.

The records are organized into two series: Series I: Greater Akron Arts Federation and Series 2: Akron Area Council for the Arts.

Statement of Arrangement

The collection is divided into two series based on a change in the structure and goals of the organization; the Greater Akron Arts Federation (Series I) was dissolved and succeeded by the Akron Area Council for the Arts (Series II) and this is reflected in the seriation. Series I consists of organizational records, general correspondence, meeting minutes, membership records, financial records, and subject files. The organizational records include the GAAF Code of Regulation, Articles of Incorporation, officers and Board of Directors, and a general history and purpose statement for the institution. The general correspondence file consists of letters mostly addressed to John Rebenack, Acting Treasurer, concerning proposals and funding. The correspondence covers roughly 1968 to 1974. The meeting minutes include information on GAAF legislation from July 7, 1968 to September 22, 1975. The minutes also reflect the operations and activities of GAAF. The membership records consist of correspondence, and membership lists from 1971 to 1975. Financial records include general correspondence and financial statements from August 1968 to September 1975 (not inclusive), treasurer's reports from August 1970 to December 1974 (not inclusive), Also included in this series are publications from the Ohio Area Council, and miscellaneous files containing newspaper clippings, programs, calendars, and publications from the agency. Series II consist of organizational records, meeting minutes, financial records, membership lists, and published materials. The organizational records relate the institution's functional purpose and inner administrative organization and consist of a statement of purpose, code of regulations, and various administrative proposals. The meeting minutes consist of the activities and legislation of the AACA's Board of Trustees and committees including the executive, membership, and coordinating committees. Also included in this series are lists of the committee members and activities from 1975 to 1979. Financial records contain the statement for 1975-1976 in addition to a proposed budget for 1979-1980. The AACA membership file includes a list for 1979 along with correspondence concerning contributions from various people and organizations. The published materials file contains newspaper clippings, pamphlets, calendars, and programs concerning the AACA.

Restrictions on Use

Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.

Restrictions on Access

No restrictions on access; except not available through interlibrary loan. Copyright restrictions may apply. Permission to reproduce or publish materials in this collection must be secured in writing from Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron.

Related Material: Related Material

Weathervane Community Playhouse Records

Tuesday Musical Club

Akron Symphony Orchestra, Greater Akron Musical Association

Friends of Hower House


Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Art publicity--Ohio--Akron Region
Community arts projects--Ohio--Akron Region

Organizations/Corporations:

Akron Area Council for the Arts
Greater Akron Arts Federation

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts Records, Archival Services, University Libraries, The University of Akron, Akron Ohio.

Acquisition Information

Donated by the Greater Akron Arts Federation/Akron Area Council for the Arts.

Processing Information

Arranged by Archival Services staff. Re-foldered and re-boxed by Archival Services student assistant Julia Polsinelli, 2014. Finding aid updated 2014.


Detailed Description of The Collection



SERIES I: GREATER AKRON ARTS FEDERATION, 1968-1975

BOX 1 / Folder 1
Organization/Code of Regulation, undated




BOX 1 / Folder 2
General Correspondence, 1968-1974




BOX 1 / Folder 3
Minutes, June 7, 1968-November 23, 1971




BOX 1 / Folder 4
Minutes, January 26, 1972-November. 17, 1973




BOX 1 / Folder 5
Minutes, January 24, 1974-September 22, 1975




BOX 1 / Folder 6
Membership Lists, 1971-1975




BOX 1 / Folder 7
General Correspondence (Rebenack), 1970-1973




BOX 1 / Folder 8
Financial Statements, August 1968-September 1975 (not inclusive)




BOX 1 / Folder 9
Treasurer's Reports, September 1968-September 1975 (not inclusive)




BOX 1 / Folder 10
Bank Statements, 1968-1970, 1975




BOX 1 / Folder 11
Ohio Area Council, Publications, 1968-1975




BOX 1 / Folder 12
Newspaper clippings, programs and calendars, 1968-1975





SERIES II: AKRON AREA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, 1975-1979

BOX 2 / Folder 1
Organization, Statement of Purpose, Code of Regulations, Administrative Proposals, undated




BOX 2 / Folder 2
Board of Trustees, 1976-1980




BOX 2 / Folder 3
Executive Committee Minutes and Notes, 1975-1979




BOX 2 / Folder 4
Financial Statements, 1975-1976




BOX 2 / Folder 5
Membership Lists, 1979




BOX 2 / Folder 6
Published Materials, 1977-1979