History: Indiana Humanities Council, 1993
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleHistory: Indiana Humanities
Council, 1993
Project No.
ohrc052
Interviews
10 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Franklin Hall, Room 0030B. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University
Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Language
Materials are in English
Abstract
The project follows the Indiana Humanities Council from its beginnings in the
1960s until the present. The interviewees discuss their roles in the council,
whether as a staff member or a board member. They discuss the founding of the
council, the growth and changes it's undergone, the projects that it has funded, and
those that it currently funds, according to their particular tenure. The
interviewees also talk about the council's importance, positive work ethic, and good
staff relations.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains ten interviews conducted in 1993. The interviews range from 45 to 145 minutes. All interviews consist
of audio reels typed transcripts.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open
to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies
are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any
restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier
(pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript
(deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that
interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview.
Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be
used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession
number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University,
Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Interview List
Interviewee
Ball, Virginia May 13, 1993
Call Number
93-064
Physical Description
19 pages; 1 tape, 1 7/8 ips, 45 minutes; index; biographical
information about interviewee
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Virginia Ball, born January 1, 1919, discusses her early life and education.
She discusses the beginning of the Indiana Humanities Council and the original committee. She talks
about the changes it underwent during the six plus years she served on the
board, and about the innovative nature of it. She also discusses the
wonderful rapport between staff and the importance of the Indiana Humanities Council.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, Edmund F.
-
-
Subjects
- grant proposals
- IHC goals
Interviewee
Burns, Robert E. April 26, 1993
Call Number
93-060
Physical Description
27 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 107 minutes; index
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Robert E. Burns, born November 3, 1927, discusses his early life and
education. After spending some time in Washington working for a senator, he
was drawn into grant and proposal writing when he returned to his position
at the University of Notre Dame. Through this, he was then recruited to be a
founding member of the Indiana Humanities Council. He recalls his
experiences and his surprise at being one of five independent people to whom
the government gave money to reallocate as grants. After three years, he
left the council. He discusses his reasons for leaving and the changes which
had occurred since he began.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Occupation Names
- associate dean
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, Virginia
- Hartig, Marvin E.
- Sullivan, Martin
-
-
Subjects
- community action groups
- grant proposal writing
Interviewee
Davis, Terry L. May 3, 1993
Call Number
93-061
Physical Description
29 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 78 minutes; index; interviewee's
resumé
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Terry L. Davis, born March 28, 1953, discusses her early life, education, and
work experience. She began working for the Indiana Humanities Council when
she decided to get out of the corporate world and into not-for-profit. She
discusses the many changes the Indiana Humanities Council has undergone since its start including
its name change from the Indiana Committee for the Humanities, its move into
fundraising, and its growth. Davis discusses the fundraising that occurs and
how it gives a little independence from the National Endowment for the
Humanities and other federal funding. She talks about the committees and the
progress the Indiana Humanities Council has made in Indiana and about what the future may bring.
She also discusses the great impact the Indiana Humanities Council has made on her life.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Occupation Names
- administrative staff
-
-
Personal Names
- Shusterman, Alan
-
-
Subjects
- funding levels
- fundraising
Interviewee
Gladish, Kenneth May 19, 1993
Call Number
93-065
Physical Description
43 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 105 minutes; index; curriculum vitae of
interviewee, article about interviewee
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Kenneth Gladish, born in July 1952, discusses his early life and education.
He discusses his interest in the humanities and the work he'd done through
the Indiana Humanities Council. He talks about a program called the Resource Center. He discusses
the Indiana Humanities Council staff, various projects which they fund, fundraising, and the
innovation of the Council. Gladish talks about the changes that have
occurred during his tenure. He also discusses the importance of the Indiana Humanities Council.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Federation of State Humanities Councils
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Subjects
- fundraising
- grant projects
Interviewee
Gros Louis, Kenneth May 24, 1993
Call Number
93-066
Physical Description
31 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 88 minutes; index
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Dr. Kenneth Gros Louis, born on December 18, 1936, discusses his early life
and education. He discusses becoming involved with the Indiana Humanities
Council when it was known as the Indiana Committee for the Humanities, first
through writing grants for projects for the Indiana University English
Department, then by serving on the board. He discusses the duties of the
board members as well as board- staff relations. He discusses the goals of
the Indiana Humanities Council, the criteria for funding a project, and the
virtues of the council. He talks about the changes the council underwent
during his six years, including the beginning of fundraising and the
evolution of the Resource Center. Dr. Gros Louis also shares some memorable
experiences of his time with the council.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Federation of State Humanities Council
- Indiana Arts Commission
- Indiana University
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Occupation Names
- Bloomington campus chancellor
- university president
-
-
Personal Names
- Bucove, Donna
- Shusterman, Alan
-
-
Subjects
- board duties
- fundraising
- IHC goals
- staff relations
Interviewee
Hartig, Marvin E. May 18, 1993
Call Number
93-068
Physical Description
43 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 145 minutes; index
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Marvin E. Hartig, born in 1925, discusses his early life and education. He
recalls being one of the five founding members of the Indiana Humanities Council. He discusses the
original guidelines, goals, themes, and criteria for projects, especially
the need for a discussion pertaining to public policy in each project
funded. He discusses the beginning of fundraising for the Indiana Humanities Council. He talks
about the changes that have occurred since his time and he expresses some of
his concerns about these changes. Hartig distinguishes between the arts and
the humanities. He also discusses the values of the Indiana Humanities Council.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- University of Evansville
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, Virginia
- Richey, Robert
- Sullivan, Martin
-
-
Subjects
- fundraising
- IHC founding
Interviewee
Royce, Anya Peterson May 31, 1993
Call Number
93-067
Physical Description
25 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 80 minutes; index; curriculum vitae of
interviewee, monograph, "Reflections on the Arts" by interviewee.
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Anya Peterson Royce, born in 1940, discusses her early life, education, and
work as a classical ballerina. She discusses becoming involved with the Indiana Humanities Council
as an academic through her interest in the humanities. She differentiates
between the arts and the humanities and her involvement in both. She talks
about staff and board relations tensions, annual retreats, and her role as
chair. Royce discusses fundraising and its importance for the Council's
independence from the National Endowment for the Humanities and for more
project grants. She discusses the criteria for funding projects as well as
the importance and the values of the Indiana Humanities Council.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- Indiana University
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Subjects
- fundraising
- IHC retreats
- staff relations
Interviewee
Schwartz, Martin May 4, 1993
Call Number
93-062
Physical Description
28 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 105 minutes; index
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Radio-TV Building, Room
314. Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the interviews
from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice office.
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Martin Schwartz, born March 27, 1917, discusses his family history as well as
his early life and education. He talks about his experiences during World
War II, including work in the Office of Price Administration. He discusses
his interest in academics and activism, and getting involved with the
Indiana Humanities Council and with American Veterans of World War II,
Korea, and Vietnam (AMVETS). Schwartz recalls a few people and practices
during his tenure as well as staff relations. He discusses the changes that
have occurred in the council over the years, including the work he did
founding the Federation of State Humanities Councils so that all states
could be "on the same page." He also talks about the importance of the
Indiana Humanities Council.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- American Veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam
- Federation of State Humanities Councils
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- United States Office of Price Administration
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, Edmund F.
- Ball, Virginia
- Shusterman, Alan
- Sullivan, Martin
-
-
Subjects
- community activities
- fundraising
- staff relations
- World War II
Interviewee
Shusterman,
Alan
May 06, 1993
Call Number
93-063
Physical Description
27 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips; 76 minutes; index
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Alan Shusterman, born on May 1, 1948, discusses his involvement with the
Indiana Humanities Council during its early days. He discusses the growth
and changes the Indiana Humanities Council went through during his time
there, including goals, fundraising, committees, and computers. He talks
about how fundraising gave the Indiana Humanities Council more independence
from the national Endowment for the Humanities. Shusterman talks about the
kinds of programs they funded and the rapport between the board and the
staff. He discusses leaving the Indiana Humanities Council to delve into his
interest in computers. He also talks about the importance of the Indiana
Humanities Council to the community.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Personal Names
- Ball, Virginia
- Schwartz, Martin
-
-
Subjects
- computers
- fundraising
- IHC goals
Interviewee
Sullivan, Martin June 14, 1993
Call Number
93-069
Physical Description
37 pages; 3 tapes, 1 7/8 ips, 145 minutes; index
Interviewer
Racette, Elizabeth
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
Martin Sullivan, born in February 1944, discusses his early life and
education. He discusses the beginning of the Indiana Humanities Council, the pressures, confusion
and growth that went into it-- especially in publicizing its existence, and
finding worthy public policy projects. He discusses the selection process
for board members, and how they worked together. He recalls memorable early
projects which they funded. He talks about the changes that occurred
creating more flexibility in criteria for projects and fundraising. Sullivan
talks about leaving the Indiana Humanities Council to work for the National Endowment for the
Humanities and discusses the work he did there. He talks about work
experiences following the National Endowment for the
Humanities. He discusses the value of state humanities
councils, and the great impact such work had on his life.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Endowment for the Humanities
-
-
Personal Names
- Barcroft, John
- Hartig, Marvin E.
- Schwartz, Martin
-
-
Subjects
- board members
- fundraising
- grants procedure
- IHC publicity