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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

Title
History: 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

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