Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on acetate film

Dimensions

H x W: 4 x 5 in (10.2 x 12.7 cm)

Type

negatives

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

Indoor Photo of Men and Women Dancing Inside at the Casablanca

Topic

African American

American South

Communities

Dance

Photography

Segregation

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2007.1.69.16.31.B

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Mitchell, Jack, American, 1925 - 2013

Subject of

Unidentified Child or Children

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 12 3/16 × 11 1/16 in. (31 × 28.1 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Date

ca. 1960

Description

A black and white photographic print of three unidentified children dancing. The children, a boy and two girls, are standing in a variety of poses. The boy on the left is wearing a sailor suite, the girl in the middle has on a dress, and the girl to the right has a skirt and three-quarter sleeved top. The back of the photograph has a Jack Mitchell stamp in the center.

Topic

African American

Children

Dance

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2016.83.2

Restrictions & Rights

© Jack Mitchell, All Rights Reserved

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Barboza, Anthony, American, born 1944

Subject of

Allen, Debbie, American, born 1950

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (sheet): 13 7/8 × 10 15/16 in. (35.2 × 27.8 cm)

H x W (image): 8 15/16 × 8 3/4 in. (22.7 × 22.3 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1977

Description

A black and white photographic portrait of dancer and choreographer Debbie Allen posing in costume. Allen is pictured center frame, wearing a beaded bikini costume with tail feathers and holding a large feathered fan. She is posed sideways, bent slightly at the waist, holding the large fan with both hands held close to her chest. Her head is tilted backwards and sideways to look at the camera. She is smiling. Behind Allen is a white paper backdrop, with large handwritten words on it, though Allen and the fan obscure most of the writing. The print is signed on the front. The title and date are inscribed beneath the image and on the back of the print.

Topic

African American

Actors

Dance

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2016.99.40

Restrictions & Rights

© Anthony Barboza

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a woman in a dance pose. She is wearing a short light dress with light shoes and socks. She is on a gymnasium floor and behind her is a stand filled with people.

Topic

African American

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Schwartz and Shawn Wilson

Object number

2012.137.7.10

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Dr. White, James Herbert

White, Augusta Charter, American, 1902 - 1993

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America

Date

1950 - 1971

Description

A black-and-white photograph of J.H. White and a woman dancing. The woman, left, is wearing a light gown with lace detail on the bodice and a necklace. Mr. White, right, is wearing a tuxedo with a carnation attached to the breast and a pocket square in the jacket. They have their arms around each other and are holding hands opposite. They are on a hardwood floor and have people in stands in the background.

Topic

African American

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Schwartz and Shawn Wilson

Object number

2012.137.7.11

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a man and woman dancing. The woman, left, is wearing a light gown and a lace shawl over her shoulders with earrings and a ring on. The man, right, is wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie and flower attached to the lapel. He has a moustache. They are on a hardwood floor and in the background to their left is another dancing couple with a woman's back and a man's face visible.

Topic

African American

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Schwartz and Shawn Wilson

Object number

2012.137.7.19

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a young man and a woman at a dance. The woman, left, is wearing a white gown with a lace shawl, necklace and gloves. The man, right, is wearing a tuxedo. Behind them is another woman to the right wearing a light gown. There are two balls hanging from the ceiling as decoration and a Christmas tree in the left background.

Topic

African American

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Schwartz and Shawn Wilson

Object number

2012.137.7.8

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Rev. Anderson, Henry Clay, American, 1911 - 1998

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Sheet): 8 x 10 in. (20.3 x 25.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

Greenville, Washington County, Mississippi, United States, North and Central America

Date

1948 - 1970s

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a man and woman dancing. The woman, left, is wearing a light gown with long light gloves, and a small purse. She has ribbon in her hair and is holding a dark scarf in her right hand. The man, right, is wearing a dark pinstripe suit with a patterned tie and dress shoes. There is a light pocket square in his jacket. His left hand is holding the woman's right. They are on a hardwood floor. Behind them are several dancing couples.

Topic

African American

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Charles Schwartz and Shawn Wilson

Object number

2012.137.7.9

Restrictions & Rights

© Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Johnson, Jason Miccolo, American

Subject of

Alfred Street Baptist Church, American, founded 1803

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (sheet): 15 7/8 x 19 7/8 in. (40.3 x 50.5 cm)

H x W (image): 12 3/8 x 18 1/2 in. (31.4 x 47 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

Alexandria, Virginia, United States, North and Central America

Date

2003; printed 2012

Description

A black-and-white photograph of two lines of women and men performing in front of an altar. One line is facing the right side of the photograph while the other is facing the left side. They are all performing the same move. Their knees are slightly bent, their left legs are stepping forward, and their right arms are extended with their hands making a fist. People are standing and sitting on either side of them on the altar or in church pews. No inscriptions on the front or back.

Topic

African American

Dance

Local and regional

Photography

Religious groups

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.141.10

Restrictions & Rights

© Jason Miccolo Johnson

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Johnson, Jason Miccolo, American

Subject of

Metropolitan Baptist Church, American, founded 1864

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (sheet): 15 15/16 x 19 7/8 in. (40.5 x 50.5 cm)

H x W (image): 12 7/16 x 18 11/16 in. (31.6 x 47.5 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

Largo, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, North and Central America

Date

2004; printed 2012

Description

A black-and-white photograph of two women jumping with arms and legs outstretched. They are wearing loose fitting pants and shirts. Several men and women dressed formally are standing behind them. No inscriptions on the front or back.

Topic

African American

Amusements

Dance

Local and regional

Photography

Religious groups

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2012.141.9

Restrictions & Rights

© Jason Miccolo Johnson

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Biggers, John, American, 1924 - 2001

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions

Frame: 43 1/4 x 37 3/16 x 2 in. (109.9 x 94.5 x 5.1 cm)

H x W (Canvas): 36 1/4 x 30 1/8 in. (92.1 x 76.5 cm)

Type

oil paintings

Place made

Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States, North and Central America

Date

1968

Description

This is an oil painting of two dancing women. The women wear duku head ties, blouses, and floor-length skirts. The figure on the left has a skirt that wraps around her, with abstract color patterns in yellow and red tones. She wears a blue sleeveless blouse with a white pattern and an off-white head tie with yellow and red highlights. The woman stands with her body facing the viewer, head bent towards her left and bending forward from the waist. The woman next to her stands with her back to the viewer, wearing an off-white wrap skirt and blue short sleeve blouse with light blue pattern. She bends forward slightly from the waist, her left foot visible beneath her skirt. Behind them is a large green moon against a dark blue sky with white stars and constellations in the background.

Topic

African American

Africa

African diaspora

Art

Dance

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gerald and Anita Smith

Object number

2012.162.1

Restrictions & Rights

© Estate of John Biggers. Permission required for use.

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Visual Arts

Exhibition

Visual Art and the American Experience

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 052

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Williams, Milton, American, born 1940

Subject of

Unidentified Man or Men

Unidentified Woman or Women

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image and Sheet): 8 x 9 7/8 in. (20.3 x 25.1 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1975

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Washington D.C. public high school naval cadets dancing on the south mall near the White House. The cadets are dressed in uniform. They are outside with non-uniformed people looking on in the background. The photograph is stamped on the back.

Topic

African American

Amusements

Dance

Local and regional

Military

Photography

United States--History--1969-2001

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number

2011.15.202

Restrictions & Rights

© Milton Williams

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Miller, Wayne F., American, 1918 - 2013

Subject of

Kitt, Eartha, American, 1927 - 2008

Medium

photographic gelatin and silver on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 10 5/16 x 10 3/8 in. (26.2 x 26.4 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 13 1/4 x 10 3/8 in. (33.7 x 26.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date

1946-1948

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Eartha Kitt (center) leading a dance troupe rehearsal. Two dancers appear in the foreground and drummers sit next to her.

Topic

African American

Dance

Nightlife

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2009.24.13

Restrictions & Rights

© Magnum Photos

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Portfolio/Series

The Way of Life of the Northern Negro

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Williams, Milton, American, born 1940

Subject of

Phillips, Jerry, American

WHUR, American, founded 1971

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image and Sheet): 9 7/8 × 8 1/8 in. (25.1 × 20.6 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place depicted

Washington, District of Columbia, united States, North and Central America

Date

1980s

Description

A black-and-white photograph of Jerry Phillips and other people dancing. At the center of the photograph is Jerry Phillips in a suit and a woman in a dress. The woman is smiling and has her arm extended slightly. The man's body is slightly turned towards the camera while his head is turned towards the woman. The photograph is stamped and inscribed on the back.

Topic

African American

Dance

Local and regional

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number

2011.15.228

Restrictions & Rights

© Milton Williams

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Williams, Milton, American, born 1940

Subject of

Unidentified Woman or Women

Unidentified Man or Men

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W: 5 x 8 1/16 in. (12.7 x 20.5 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

Place captured

Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

Date

1972-1995

Description

A black-and-white photograph of a man and woman dancing. The man is wearing a dark colored suit and the woman is wearing a dark colored dress. The man dancing is also wearing a nametag. They are dancing in front of a group of people sitting in rows of folding chairs. Some of the people in the audience are wearing winter coats, hats and nametags. The photograph is stamped and inscribed on the back. the inscription identifies the couple dancing as "the Martins."

Topic

African American

Communities

Dance

Photography

United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Milton Williams Archives

Object number

2011.15.390

Restrictions & Rights

© Milton Williams

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Created by

Unidentified

Worn by

MC Hammer, American, born 1962

Medium

Jacket: synthetic fiber, foam, and metal button

Pants: synthetic fiber and elastic

Dimensions

H x W x D (2011.153.7.1-.2 on form): 61 × 25 × 16 1/2 in. (154.9 × 63.5 × 41.9 cm)

H x W x D (2011.153.7.1 jacket on form): 23 1/2 × 25 × 16 1/2 in. (59.7 × 63.5 × 41.9 cm)

H x W (2011.153.7.1 jacket flat): 23 1/2 × 21 1/2 in. (59.7 × 54.6 cm)

H x W x D (2011.153.7.2 pants on form): 46 × 17 × 13 in. (116.8 × 43.2 × 33 cm)

H x W (2011.153.7.2 pants flat): 44 × 17 1/2 in. (111.8 × 44.5 cm)

Type

ensembles (costume)

jackets

trousers

Place used

California, United States, North and Central America

Date

1988

Description

This blue jacket (.1) and Hammer pants (.2) were worn by the rapper and dancer MC Hammer in the 1988 music video for his song "They Put Me in the Mix."

(.1): Blue cropped jacket with full-length sleeves. The jacket is made of a bright blue synthetic fabric and has a notched collar. The front of the jacket has an open front style with a single button closure at the bottom center front. The large circular gold button has a raised design of an eagle holding an anchor surrounded by stars, and is attached with the eagle upside down. The button closes around a loop on the proper left front made from the blue fabric. The sleeves are wide at the shoulder and taper toward the wrist. The jacket is fully lined with a white synthetic fabric. There are thick shoulder pads attached between the facing and lining fabric.

(.2): Blue Hammer style pants with black waistband. The pants are made of the same blue synthetic fabric as the jacket. The legs are wide-legged with a slight taper toward the hem, ending at the ankle. A gusset is sewn between the legs to make the crotch loose and baggy. The blue fabric is gathered at the top and joined to a wide black elastic waistband, which is seamed at the center back. The pant legs are hemmed with black thread. The pants are not lined.

Topic

African American

Clothing and dress

Costume

Dance

Fashion

Hip hop (Music)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2011.153.7.1-.2

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions

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National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Clothing-Costume

Clothing-Fashion

Exhibition

Musical Crossroads

On View

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Culture/Fourth Floor, 4 053

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

creator

Ailey, Alvin

Mitchell, Jack, 1925-

name

Wood, Donna, 1954-

DeLoatch, Gary, 1953-1993

Jamison, Judith

Allen, Sarita

Chaya, Masazumi

Truitte, James

DeLavallade, Carmen , 1931-

Williams, Dudley

Tyson, Andre

Roxas, Elizabeth

object type

Archival materials

inclusive dates

1961-2004

Physical description

16 Linear feet

Abstract

Jack Mitchell (1925- 2013) was an acclaimed photographer who began chronicling the work of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1961. Alvin Ailey (1931- 1989), one of the most influential African American choreographers of modern dance, dedicated himself and his dance company to creating ballets that not only accelerated the careers of young African American dancers, but also stole the attention of national and international audiences in displaying the racial perspective of dance in the African American experience. This collection serves as Mitchell's documentation of the dance company's evolution while capturing the true idiosyncrasies and physicality of movement through still images. Through Alvin Ailey and Jack Mitchell's partnership, they were able to collaborate and produce a unique production of art, fusing the meaning and movements of dance and the techniques of photography.

Preferred Citation

Photography by Jack Mitchell © Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution, All rights reserved.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Access to collection materials requires an appointment.

Scope and Contents

The Jack Mitchell Photography of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Collection is comprised of approximately 10,000 black and white prints of solo and ensemble acts, portraits of principle dancers and various associates of the company, color slides and transparencies for private photo sessions and performances, black and white film strips and their corresponding contact sheets, and reference materials.

Biographical / Historical

Jack Mitchell was born on September 13, 1925 in Key West, Florida. Although he was not in the field of photography, Mitchell's father bought him his first camera when Jack was a teenager. His first published photograph was of actress, Veronica Lake, for a War Bond Tour, a tour issued by the government that promoted debt securities to soldiers to finance military operations and expenditures He enlisted in the United States army and became a photographer in Italy at the end of World War II. In 1949, Ted Shawn, a dancer and choreographer who is respected among the dance community as a pioneer of American modern dance, invited Mitchell to Massachusetts photograph his dancers at his dance center, Jacobs's Pillow. It was during this time where Mitchell's interest and appreciation for moving bodies was realized. In the lifespan of his career, Mitchell created over 150 covers for Dance Magazine1, the New York Times, Time, Life, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair, and Vogue.2

As Jack Mitchell started to photograph the poses and ballets of the American Ballet Theater throughout the late 1950s, Alvin Ailey saw some of Mitchell's photographs. By 1961, Mitchell had established himself as a distinguished photographer of dance, coining the term, "moving stills". His photographs became the benchmark and standard that other dance photographers measured their work. In November 1961, Ailey invited Mitchell to a performance space in Clark Center, NY, and with his dancers, they performed for Mitchell's camera; some of the photographs from that first photo session can be found in this collection.

Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931 in in Rodgers, Texas, during the Great Depression. As his repertory reflected, the beginning of his life was defined by a tight-knit, predominantly African American folk culture. At age 12, Ailey and his mother, Lula Cooper, moved Los Angeles, California. It is here that he was exposed to the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, which led him to study under the Lester Horton Dance Theater, where he danced with Carmen DeLavallade, James Truitte, and Joyce Trisler. After 3 years of performing and training, he was positioned as a choreographer and later became the director of the company when Lester Horton suddenly died in 1953. His influence from Lester Horton, Martha Graham, and Katherine Dunham help to establish his philosophy that "Everything in dancing is style, allusion, the essence of many thoughts and feelings, the abstraction of many moments. Each movement is the sum total of moments and experiences".3 After Horton's death, Ailey went to perform at Ted Shawn's Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, and then on to New York with his longtime schoolmate and fellow dancer, Carmen DeLavallade, to perform in the 1954 Broadway production of "House of Flowers". The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company was established in 1958.

From the beginning of his journey as a dancer and choreographer, Ailey wanted to show African American experience in his performances. He embedded folk culture in his early works "Revelations" and "Blue Suites". In reflection, before his first South Asian Tour, Alvin expressed, "The cultural heritage of the American Negro is one of America's richest treasures. From his roots as a slave, the American Negro- sometimes sorrowing, sometimes jubilant but always hopeful -has touched, illuminated, and influenced the most preserved of world civilization. I and my dance theater celebrate this trembling beauty."4 "Revelations" was well- received by national and international audiences, Ailey recognized by the dance community as a choreographer with promise and his company and ballets he created were highly anticipated. By 1965, Ailey went from being a dancer to being the company's choreographer. From the onset, Ailey embraced diversity and invited interracial and interdisciplinary perspectives at of the company. He also created ballets for other notable companies including the American Ballet Theatre, Royal Danish Ballet, London Festival Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and LaScala Opera Ballet.5 He was invited to choreograph Samuel Barber's Anthony and Cleopatra for the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center in 19666, and Leonard Bernstein's Mass for the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 1971.7

As the company embraced racial diversity, Ailey never lost his sense of obligation to the African American community. In 1969, he established the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, which became the Ailey School, formed the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, and pioneered programs promoting arts in education, particularly those that benefitted deprived communities. Among his numerous distinctions were the Dance Magazine Award (1975), the NAACP Spingarn Medal (1976), given for "the highest and noblest achievement by an American Negro during the previous year or years"8 , the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award (1987), the most prestigious award for modern dance for a lifetime contribution to the field, the Kennedy Center Award (1988) and Honorary Doctorates from Princeton University (1972)9 , Bard College (1977)10 , and Adelphi University (1977). President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Ailey the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, the country's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his contributions and commitments to civil rights and dance in America.11

Through Jack Mitchell and Alvin Ailey's work, they were able to collaborate and create something "rich in historical connotations, the liveliest kind of permanent record of the works of important creators and creations that formed the nucleus of Ailey's remarkable vision of American dance and what it could be"12. Alvin Ailey's reputation for creating eclectic dance methods produced movements and poses that are still studied and idolized today. Mitchell was able to pay homage to many of the world's best dance artists from James Truitte, Carmen DeLavallade, Dudley Williams, Donna Wood, Renee Robinson, Gary DeLoatch, as well as Ailey, through his photography. With Ailey's longstanding and established stature within the dance community, and Mitchell's pronouncement of the detailed through his use of lighting in his photographs, this collection highlights the incredible collaboration between Ailey and Mitchell, and serves as a unique document of one of the world's most renowned American dance company's.

Alvin Ailey's vision for a dance company was dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving African American culture. In a 1989 interview with Dance Magazine, shortly before his death, Ailey discussed how he took pride in knowing that "No other company around [today] does what we do, requires the same range, and challenges both the dancers and the audience to the same degree." Ailey searched for a collaborator that would help him display the value of communicative movement; he found his match in Mitchell. Ailey's influence went beyond the stage and Jack Mitchell's images in this collection document that evolution. With Alvin Ailey's passing in 1989 at age 58 and Jack Mitchell's death in 2013 at age 88, these photographs of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Collection serves as one of the few sources of this dynamic dance company, from its early days to an internationally recognized troupe.

Footnotes: Footnotes, Jack Mitchell. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Jack Mitchell Photographs. (Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1993), viii, Bruce Weber, "Jack Mitchell, Photographer of the Arts, Dies at 88", The New York Times Obituaries (November 9, 2013):http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/10/arts/jack-mitchell-photographer-of-the-arts-dies-at-88.html, Jennifer Dunning, Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance. (New York; Addison- Wesley, 1996), 123, Ibid, 146., Alvin Ailey, Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey. (New York: Birch Lane, 1995), 6-7., Alvin Ailey, Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey. (New York; Birch Lane, 1995), 7., Ibid., Ibid., Dunning, Jennifer. Alvin Ailey: A Life in Dance. (New York: Addison-Wesley, 1996), 286., "Bard College Catalogue 2016-17: Honorary Degrees": https://www.bard.edu/catalogue/index.php?aid=1205177%26sid=670501, Office of the Press Secretary, "President Obama Names Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom" (November 10, 2014): https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/11/10/president-obama-names-recipients-presidential-medal-freedom, Jack Mitchell. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Jack Mitchell Photographs. (Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1993), ix.

topic

Dancers -- Photographs

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Choreography -- United States

Dance

Dance schools -- United States

Dance -- Production and direction

Dance companies

Dance -- North America

smithsonian online virtual archive

Record

Data source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

creator

National Museum of African American History and Culture (U.S.)

name

Church of God

WHUT Howard University Television

Mid-Atlantic Regional Moving Image Archive (MARMIA)

Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of District of Columbia

object type

Archival materials

inclusive dates

1940 - Ongoing

Physical description

2 sound recordings

Abstract

The Great Migration is a unique, ongoing digitization service program that partners the National Museum of African American History and Culture with individuals and organizations across the United States to preserve their important analog audiovisual media. While major motion picture film and television historically lacked diverse representation, black history was instinctively being preserved in everyday home movies. Today, these personal narratives serve as an invaluable tool for understanding and re-framing black moving image history, and provide a much needed visualization of African American history and culture.

Preferred Citation

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Supported by the Robert Frederick Smith Fund of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Restrictions

Collection is available online for open research.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains 39 digtized home movies, 41 digitized home videos, and 2 digitized audiotape recordings. However, as an ongoing project the scope of the collection will continue to increase over time. The scope will be updated as is appropriate.

The content of the collection consists predominantly of amateur recordings created by families to document their lives. This includes major life events, such as birthdays, as well as family vacations and holidays. Additionally, the collection includes footage produced by professionals for broadcast on television. This particular footage entered the collection through partnerships with other memory institutions.

Physical description

41 video recordings

Abstract

The Great Migration is a unique, ongoing digitization service program that partners the National Museum of African American History and Culture with individuals and organizations across the United States to preserve their important analog audiovisual media. While major motion picture film and television historically lacked diverse representation, black history was instinctively being preserved in everyday home movies. Today, these personal narratives serve as an invaluable tool for understanding and re-framing black moving image history, and provide a much needed visualization of African American history and culture.

Preferred Citation

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Supported by the Robert Frederick Smith Fund of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Restrictions

Collection is available online for open research.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains 39 digtized home movies, 41 digitized home videos, and 2 digitized audiotape recordings. However, as an ongoing project the scope of the collection will continue to increase over time. The scope will be updated as is appropriate.

The content of the collection consists predominantly of amateur recordings created by families to document their lives. This includes major life events, such as birthdays, as well as family vacations and holidays. Additionally, the collection includes footage produced by professionals for broadcast on television. This particular footage entered the collection through partnerships with other memory institutions.

Physical description

39 motion picture films

Abstract

The Great Migration is a unique, ongoing digitization service program that partners the National Museum of African American History and Culture with individuals and organizations across the United States to preserve their important analog audiovisual media. While major motion picture film and television historically lacked diverse representation, black history was instinctively being preserved in everyday home movies. Today, these personal narratives serve as an invaluable tool for understanding and re-framing black moving image history, and provide a much needed visualization of African American history and culture.

Preferred Citation

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Supported by the Robert Frederick Smith Fund of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Restrictions

Collection is available online for open research.

Scope and Contents

The collection contains 39 digtized home movies, 41 digitized home videos, and 2 digitized audiotape recordings. However, as an ongoing project the scope of the collection will continue to increase over time. The scope will be updated as is appropriate.

The content of the collection consists predominantly of amateur recordings created by families to document their lives. This includes major life events, such as birthdays, as well as family vacations and holidays. Additionally, the collection includes footage produced by professionals for broadcast on television. This particular footage entered the collection through partnerships with other memory institutions.

topic

Amateur films

Families

Travel

Parties

African Americans

smithsonian online virtual archive

Record

Data source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Published by

MelPat Associates, American, 1965 - 1986

Created by

Patrick, C. Melvin, American, died 1985

Medium

ink on paper

Dimensions

H x W x D: 10 13/16 × 8 7/16 × 9/16 in. (27.5 × 21.4 × 1.5 cm)

Type

magazines (periodicals)

Place made

Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Place depicted

Houston, Harris County, Texas, United States, North and Central America

San Francisco, California, United States, North and Central America

Oakland, Alameda County, California, United States, North and Central America

Martha's Vineyard, Oakl Bluffs, Dukes County, Massachusetts, United States, North and Central America

Date

1984

Description

A 1984 issue of Delegate magazine published by MelPat Associates. The cover of the magazine is white with an image of the Olympic rings, all red except the bottom left ring, which has been replaced by a blue ribbon badge with text that reads [1984 / DELEGATE]. Below the rings is a grid of black and white photographic portraits. Twenty-two (22) men and women are pictured, with the name of everyone printed under his or her image in blue. Blue text at the bottom right corner reads [The / Olympics / Past and / Present / page 159]. The spine of the magazine is white with red text that reads [DELEGATE, 1984 - The 8th Year of the 3rd Century].

The magazine’s content opens with a masthead, set in white text against a black background reading [DELEGATE, 1983], and a table of contents, followed by an untitled editorial note about the 1984 presidential election.

The content then continues with profiles of African American business organizations, business leaders, events, community organizations, sororities, fraternities, doctors, dentists, politicians, actors, and journalists. This includes the National Urban League, NAACP, Harlem YMCA Sports Hall of Fame, Pan-Hellenic Council, American Bridge Association, Interracial Council for Business Opportunity, Delegate Magazine reception, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc., Ciba-Geigy, Prince Hall Grand Lodge, John Hunter Camp Fund, The Girl Friends, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, Frederick Douglass Awards Dinner, Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Phelps-Stokes Center for Human Development, Mamie Phipps Clark, Northside Center, National Newspaper Publishers Association, 100 Black men, AME Zion Church, Top Ladies of Distinction, Carats, Inc., Links, Republican Party, Lambda Kappa Mu Sorority, National United Church Ushers Association of America, National Association of Medical Minority Educators, Eddie Atkinson, National Association of Market Developers, Suzanne de Passe, Negro Ensemble Co., Dance Theatre of Harlem, Walter Mondale, Jesse Jackson, Democratic Party, CBS Records, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Edgar B. Felton, Black Congress on Health, Law and Economics, National Black Nurses’ Association, National Bar Association, National Pharmaceutical Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, National Medical Association, Morehouse School of Medicine, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, National Association of University Women, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs, Tuskegee Airmen, Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, 100 Black Women, Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Boys Choir of Harlem, Cardinal Cooke, Oliver C. Sutton, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Black Caucus Weekend, National Council of Negro Women, 369th Veterans’ Association, Beaux Arts Ball, The Edges Group, and Comus Social Club. In the middle is a large feature on the Olympics, one titled “The Story of the Past” and the other “The Story of the Future.” There are also features on black Hollywood and the cities of Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Oak Bluffs.

There are approximately 511 pages with black and white photographs and advertisements throughout, as well as a few advertisements in color. The back cover of the magazine features a full page advertisement for Kool cigarettes.

Topic

African American

Advertising

Associations and institutions

Business

Communities

Dance

Fraternal organizations

Fraternities

Government

Hollywood (Film)

Journalism

Labor

Mass media

Men

Olympics

Political organizations

Politics (Practical)

Professional organizations

Religious groups

Sororities

United States--History--1969-2001

United States--Social life and customs

Urban life

Women

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anne B. Patrick and the family of Hilda E. Stokely

Object number

2012.167.18

Restrictions & Rights

Public domain

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture