Performing and Visual Arts

Kansas City Performing Arts Collection, 1973-2013 (K1436)
0.25 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

The Kansas City Performing Arts Collection contains materials related to the Kansas City Ballet, the Lyric Opera of Kansas City, the Missouri Repertory Theatre, the Quality Hill Playhouse, and the State Ballet of Missouri.

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A

Advanced Documentary Class, Stephens College (Columbia, Mo.) Films, 2013-2015 (C4504)
37.8 GB of digital files (8 mov files, 2mp4s)

 Finding Aid

The collection contains documentary films on historical Missouri figures and topics created by students at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, for a class taught by Chase Thompson in 2013 and 2015.

Anna Agris Collection, 1932-1969 (S0804)
0.4 cubic foot, 100 photographs

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

This collection contains dance programs, photographs, newspaper clippings, and manuscripts documenting Anna Agris' career as a ballet dancer and dance instructor in Chicago, Illinois and St. Louis, Missouri. Her maiden name was Anna Agress.

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Earl Wilson Allen Country Club District Map, 1930 (K0607)
58.5 lf

 Finding Aid

Original painting [pictographic map] of the Country Club District, for J.C. Nichols Company (on board). Painting was displayed in J.C. Nichols building on the Country Club Plaza until 2012.

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Joe W. Allen Photograph Collection, 1889 (P0168)
1 photograph

Print from glass negative in possession of donor, showing imposter who identified himself as musician John William "Blind" Boone

Charles Allonby Photographs, 1877-1971 (P0053)
0.19 cubic feet

Photographs of Thomas Hart Benton, the Newton County Courthouse, L. Carroll Gum, the Herman Jaeger property (near Neosho, MO), and relating to the Kansas City Southern #805 train wreck.

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Jaquelin Ambler Collection, 1966-1972 (S0003)
0.8 cubic feet, 18 folders

 Finding Aid

The Jaquelin Ambler Collection contains gallery announcements, flyers, programs, invitations, and newspaper articles regarding St. Louis area art clubs, galleries, and artists collected by Jaquelin Ambler between 1966 and 1972, after her retirement from the St. Louis Art Museum.

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American Guild of Organists, St. Louis Chapter Records, 1921-2021 (S0363)
6 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

This collection consists of correspondence, photographs, chapter yearbooks, program booklets, handbooks, and financial materials documenting the American Guild of Organists, St. Louis Chapter's mission to nourish appreciation and interest in organ music through education, mutual support, and networking for current and future organists.

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American Heartland Theatre Records, 1987-2013 (K1283)
110 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Organizational records of a major live theater company in Kansas City, MO. Includes public relations and marketing files, correspondence, play posters and programs, publications, photographs, video, stage layouts and designs, , and other materials relating to the production of the plays.

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Armory Theatre Association Collection, 1908 (R1118)
0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This collection contains certificate number 20 dated October 22, 1908, for twenty shares of stock in the Armory Theatre Association at Aurora in Lawrence County, Missouri. The shares were sold to N. B. Pearman, who also signed as secretary of the coporation, along with N. V. H. Walker, president.

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B

Jean Coover Babcock Papers, 1944-1996 (K0740)
5.5 cubic feet

 Finding Aid

Family, personal, and professional materials of Babcock, a ballerina and dance instructor. Family papers include photographs, printed materials, ephemera, and material regarding her father's his job as a railroad engineer. Personal and professional papers include correspondence; photographs; clippings; programs from dance and theatre performances; material documenting her ballet career in Germany and Canada; and administrative and financial records of her Kansas City dance schools.

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Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree Collection, 1970 (R1218)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a souvenir booklet from the Baldknobbers Hillbilly Jamboree show at Branson in Taney County, Missouri. The show, one of the first in Branson, featured the talents of the Mabe family. Although undated, the booklet is believed to be from the 1970 season.

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Mary Jane Barnett Papers, 1913-1997 (CG0004)
1.6 cubic feet

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The collection contains correspondence, photographs, diaries, scrapbooks, business-related trade journals, a Narcotic Register, and miscellaneous papers for Mary Jane "Miss Jane" Barnett and her life and business partner, Elaine "Tommie" Davis.

George Randolph Barse, Jr. Papers, 1980 (K0419)
0.07 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

The George Randolph Barse, Jr. Papers were written in 1889 to 1891 by George Randolph Barse, Jr. to his family who resided in Kansas City, Missouri. This photocopy collection also includes drawings, photos, and a summarized listing of the letters.

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Nanette Baz-Dresh Manuscript, 1982 (S0024)
0.01 cubic foot

 Finding Aid

This collection contains one manuscript titled “Shakesperean Plays in St. Louis in the Nineteenth Century”. Nanette Baz-Dresch wrote the manuscript for a class at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

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Al Beck Papers, 1930s-2018 (CA6497)
4.15 cubic feet, 3 computer discs, 10 DVDs, 8.87 GB of digital files

 Finding Aid

The papers of a visual artist and poet who taught art at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri, contain photographs, artwork, publications, business records, and miscellaneous material.

Leonard Belove Papers, 1933-1970 (K1048)
1 c.f.

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

Scrapbooks, photos, correspondence, memorabilia, and a plaque related to Belove's work with B'nai B'rith, Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA), and the Resident Theater.

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Mrs. J. William Benton Photograph Collection, no date (P0904)
3 photographs

Photos of Sir Carl Busch of the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra and his wife, Sallie.

Thomas Hart Benton Collection, 1962-2013 (C4113)
0.2 cubic feet, 2 audio tapes, 1 CD

 Finding Aid

The Thomas Hart Benton Collection contains an interview of the artist and related materials. The interview took place at Benton's home in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 6, 1962, and was largely conducted by Homer Brown of Pittsburg State University (formerly Kansas State College of Pittsburg). Brown published the interview as an article in The Midwest Quarterly.

Ula Sharon Robinson Bergfeldt Papers, 1861-1993 (K1223)
8 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Family, personal and professional materials of Bergfeldt, professional dancer, teacher, producer, and founder of the Kansas City Dance Theatre. Includes family papers: photographs and legal documents for the Sharon and Headlee families, Spring Hill, KS; personal papers: correspondence between Ula and William Harold Bergfeldt (1895-1971) during their courtship and early marriage, as well as Harold's correspondence to his parents and photographs from France following World War I; and professional papers: scripts for ballets and administrative records of the Kansas City Dance Theatre.

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Bingham Sketches, Inc., Records, 1974-1978 (C4522)
2.15 cubic feet (41 folders, 3 card files)

 Finding Aid

Records of a 1970s fundraising campaign to purchase 112 George Caleb Bingham drawings from the St. Louis Mercantile Library Association.

George Caleb Bingham Papers, 1873 (K0470)
0.01 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Last will and testament (November 28, 1873) for Bingham, noted Missouri artist. Also stereo view photograph of Bingham's studio over Shannon's store at Third and Main Streets, Kansas City, MO.

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Blind Boone, Clarksburg, Photograph, 1900 (P0167)
1 photograph

Reproduction of image showing John William "Blind" Boone at Clarksburg depot surrounded by crowd

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Rita Copaken Blitt Papers, 1908-2003 (K1152)
0.5 c.f.

Blitt is an internationally renowned artist and sculptor. Includes exhibits brochures, booklets, and portfolios; newspapers and magazines articles; books, CDs, and VHS tapes relating to her life and art.

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Fern Boan Collection, 1915-1956 (C4168)
0.2 cubic feet (7 folders)

 Finding Aid

A collection of play programs from theaters in St. Louis, Chicago, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, and New York, which include a variety of advertisements.

John William "Blind" Boone Piano Roll, c. 1920 (CA5843)
1 piano roll

Performance by Blind Boone of "Nearer My God To Thee," published by the QRS Company, c. 1920.

Benson Botts Reminiscences, 1908 (C2399)
0.02 cubic feet (1 folder)

 Finding Aid

Poems and water color sketches of Miss Benson Botts, Mexico, MO, done by her roommate at the University of Missouri summer session in 1908.

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William Clark Breckenridge Papers, 1752-1927 (C1036)
4.75 cubic feet (117 folders, 21 volumes), 1 card file, 3 rolls of microfilm

 Finding Aid

The papers of the St. Louis businessman, writer, and historian contain correspondence, scrapbooks, book sale announcements, and miscellaneous materials, with an emphasis on St. Louis and Missouri history.

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"Bringing Government to the People: The Jerry Litton Dialogues" Documentary Film, 2010 (CA6490)
3 DVDs

Documentary film produced by the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia featuring footage from the television program, "Dialogue With Litton." Collection includes the final product as well as raw footage from interviews conducted for the project.

Lennis Leonard Broadfoot Collection, 1909-2005 (R1277)
(3 rolls of microfilm)

 Finding Aid

This collection consists of correspondence, personal and legal papers, ledger book, scrapbook and ephemera of artist Lennis Leonard Broadfoot. The collection predominately focuses on his artwork and publications, as well as his promotion of the Ozarks region in Dent and Shannon Counties through the creation of a national park, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and the promotion of the arts in general.

Brookside Business Association Records, 1938-2003 (K0902)
7 c.f.

Organizations records including minutes; financial records; correspondence; magazines, newspapers, and newspaper clippings; newsletters, flyers, and programs; event planning for the St. Patrick's Day parade, Halloween, and the Brookside Art Fair; photographs and audiovisuals.

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Burgoyne Family Papers, 1940s-2000s (CA6186)
18 cubic feet, 1 CD, 3 video cassettes, 29 audio discs, 9 oversize items

 Finding Aid

Papers of Leon Burgoyne and his daughter, Suzanne. Leon was a Navy aviator during World War II and coached boys' basketball in Berrien, Michigan. Suzanne was a professor of Theatre Arts at Creighton University and the University of Missouri. The papers include correspondence from World War II and the Vietnam War, in which Suzanne's ex-husband served, and materials documenting Suzanne's teaching career.

Bernice Tate Burwell Collection, 1921-1946 (K0234)
0.25 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Mrs. Burwell was manager and later owner of the Horner-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, as well as being a writer and produced musical shows. Scrapbooks and photographs concerning dance department performances, faculty and students of the Conservatory and other Burwell activates.

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Robert F. Bussabarger Papers, 1922-1990 (C3897)
7.0 cubic feet (243 folders)

 Finding Aid

The papers of ceramic sculptor, potter, painter and University of Missouri-Columbia Professor Emeritus of Art, include personal and professional correspondence, exhibition announcements and catalogs, photographs, publications, clippings, research project records, scrapbooks, biographical materials, records of the University of Missouri Department of Art, and miscellaneous material.

Robert F. Bussabarger Papers, 1940s-2010 (CA5992)
5.75 cubic feet, 1 video cassette, 2 computer discs

 Finding Aid

Addition of slides, photographs, correspondence, and other materials documenting the artist's work and travels to Asia and India. Also photographs and correspondence concerning his naval service in WWII and materials of his son, David Bussabarger.

C

Cecil C. Carstenson and Blanche Williams Carstenson Papers, 1943-2001 (K0669)
5 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Cecil was talented wood sculptor, while his wife Blanche was best known for her textile artworks. Included are photographs and slides of both Cecil and Blanche's artwork. Also letters to various people, mostly family while Cecil was serving during World War II and scrapbooks covering most of their adult lives.

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Carthage High School Collection, 1944 (R1244)
(1 folder)

 Finding Aid

This is a program for "Oh Doctor," an operetta by Estelle M. and Palmer J. Clark, presented by the musical organizations of Carthage High School at Carthage in Jasper County, Missouri, on March 30-31, 1944. The director was Frances Ragsdale and the accompanist was Ruth Hibbs.

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Dail Chambers Papers, 2001-2023 (S0518)
0.3 cu. ft.

 Finding Aid

This collection contains exhibition gallery cards, zines, handmade buttons, art, articles, art curricula, books, family photographs, and art pamphlets documenting Dail Chambers' involvement in teaching and producing art.

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Cinema St. Louis Records, 1992-2011 (S1076)
1 cubic foot, 15 folders

 Finding Aid

The Cinema St. Louis Records contains schedules, calendars, promotional materials, newspaper clippings, and press release notebooks documenting the organization's mission to advance film as an art through the presentation of independent films. Cinema St. Louis sponsored events have included the St. Louis International Film Festival, Cinemaspoke, and the St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase.

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City Movie Center Records, 1981-1987 (K0239)
0.2 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Correspondence, programs, flyers, and newspaper articles related to the Center, an alternative film theater in Kansas City.

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Columbia Art League (Columbia, Mo.) Records, 1959-2008 (CA6259)
12.8 cubic feet, 5 computer discs, 25 oversize sheets

 Finding Aid

Official records and other materials of a nonprofit organization founded in Columbia, Missouri in 1959 and dedicated to the encouragement and support of active community participation in the creation and appreciation of the visual arts.

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Columbia Weavers' and Spinners' Guild Records, 1941-2022 (CA5402)
13.0 cubic feet, 7 computer discs, 2 audio cassettes, 25.3 MB of digital files

 Finding Aid

Meeting minutes, treasurer’s reports, constitutions, yearbooks, newsletters, photographs, weaving notes and patterns, swatches and samples, a scrapbook, and miscellaneous material.

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Community Builder: The Life & Legacy of J.C. Nichols Collection, 2005-2007 (K0915)
3 c.f.

Audiovisual materials gathered while researching a documentary film on Nichols, footage from the film, and copies of the finished film. Includes video tapes, CD's, DVD's, and a production binder.

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Community Children's Theatre Records, 1947-1999 (K1255)
19 c.f.

 Finding Aid

Organizational records of Kansas City area Children's Theatre group made up of a number of local theater companies: presidents files, committee notebooks, minutes, rosters, financial records, programs, publications, newsletters, and photographs. Also plays/scripts and performance photographs. scrapbooks, various books, catalogues, and professional publications.

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Contemporary Art Society Records, 1984-1988 (K0918)
0.5 c.f.

Financial records, including bank statements, tax returns, audits, 1984-1988.

Cornett Family Papers, 1847-1981 (C3808)
5.1 cubic feet (210 folders), 3 oversize volumes

 Digitized Materials

 Finding Aid

The papers of the Cornett family of rural Linn County, Missouri, including William and Martha; their children, Bracy, Winifred, Jo Lee, and Carl; and Martha’s family, the Moores and Roots. Letters, household and farm records, photographs, and other family papers, along with the early records of the Moore School near Linneus, document the social, cultural, and agricultural life of a northern Missouri family and the teaching careers of two of their daughters.

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Craft Alliance Center for Art and Design Records, 1964-2015 (S0439)
58 cubic feet, 77 photographs

 Finding Aid

The Craft Alliance is a non-profit, cultural and educational organization which promotes the production, enjoyment, and understanding of the crafts. The records include budgets, bylaws, correspondence, exhibition schedules, Education Center program schedules, newsletters, scrapbooks, and photographs.

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Robert Cronbach Collection, 1933-1992 (S0613)
0.01 cubic foot, 1 folder

This collection contains biographical material on the sculptor Robert Cronbach, collected by Ernest Stix.

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D

Otto Dingeldein Papers, 1944-1990 (C4291)
1 cubic foot (19 folders), 7 oversize items

 Finding Aid

The papers contain photographs and information relating to silver products created by silversmith, Otto F. Dingeldein.

Ella Victoria Dobbs Papers, 1882-1970 (C0095)
1.10 cubic feet (61 folders, 1 oversize item)

 Finding Aid

The papers of a University of Missouri Professor Emeritus of Applied Arts include correspondence, an unpublished manuscript, speeches and essays, and Pi Lambda Theta materials. Also contains teaching notebooks, scrapbooks, and a copy of her biography.