January, 1980

This collection contains news clippings, press releases, correspondence, photos, institutional records, and audio materials that chronicle the rising support for fine arts and its impact on society in Houston, TX. Specific focus is given to the Alley Theater, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, Museum of Fine Arts, architecture, and the role of the arts in the economy, politics, and society. Each arts genre contains a chronology comprised mainly of news articles, most of which are written by Ann Holmes, and explores the difficulties, successes, and scandals in expanding and building arts organizations in the city. Numerous events connected with each organization are detailed in programs for concerts, plays, and exhibitions and in press releases describing the content of the events, notable participants, and dates of show. Business files, membership listings, and architectural designs are included for several museums and theaters, including extensive records on the Contemporary Arts Museum. The collection also includes biographies of various persons influential in both the local and international fine arts community and covers major events and contributions to the art scene in other cities worldwide. Actors, directors, dancers, musicians, conductors, writers, visual artists, administrators, and prominent supporters and donors are featured among these personalities, including Dominique de Menil, Nina Vance, Gerald Hines, and Edna Saunders. Interviews are included on audiotape and interspersed through the collection in note form. Holmes' research covers the time period of circa 1820-2008, the research materials themselves were created 1920-2008 (bulk 1950-2008).