["LATEST INFORMATION AS OF MARCH 6, 1966 from\n\nTHE UNITED STATES COMMITTEE\nFOR THE FIRST WORLD FESTIVAL of NEGRO ARTS, INC.", "The First World Festival of Negro Arts takes place in Dakar, Senegal, from April 1 through 24. From the United States, Pan American Airways has direct flights. Other airlines serving Dakar include Air Afrique and Air France, BOAC, SAS, Alitalia, Swissair and numerous others from points in Africa, Europe and South America.", "United States Citizens are required to have visas which are obtainable from either the Senegal Mission to the United Nations, 46 East 66 Street, New York City, or from the Senegal Embassy in Washington, D.C. Get 3 forms from Embassy. Present passport, smallpox and yellow fever certificates, and $4.08 fee. Visas take 24 hours to process.", "United States Citizens are advised to make haste in getting their smallpox shots and, as well, yellow fever shots. All travellers must have round trip tickets or return tickets before they can depart for Senegal. Don't forget passports!", "You are advised to make hotel and other reservations in advance. See your travel agent about these now if you intend to go. Reservations and tickets for the performances may be obtained from Service de Location de Festival, Ex Quartier Mangin, Dakar, Senegal. General information about the Festival and other aspects of Senegal can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce, Dakar, Senegal.", "THE FIRST WORLD FESTIVAL of NEGRO ARTS", "Participating countries are Algeria, Burundi, Cameroun, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), Congo (Leopoldville), Ivory Coast, Dahomey, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Arab Republic, Upper Volta and Zambia. Also Brazil, Canada, France, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Peru, United Kingdom and United States.", "* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ADIAI E. STEVENSON

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED
NATIONS IN ACCEPTING THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF
THE HONORARY COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED STATES
COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST WORLD FESTIVAL OF
NEGRO ARTS

It is a matter of deep personal satisfaction for me to serve
as Chairman of the Honorary Committee.

It is one of the great pleasures of this nation that its cultural
horizons have always been unlimited. Helping to make it so is the vast
contribution of our Negro citizens.

Whether it be in the creative arts or in the performing arts,
they have played a vital role in enriching the heritage of all Americans.
We are proud of this fact, and are delighted therefore to have the
opportunity to participate in the First World Festival of Negro Arts
that will be held in Dakar.

The cultural presentations and exhibits being planned by the
United States Committee, in association with the Department of State and
the United States Information Agency, will demonstrate forcefully and
factually how the growing prestige and leadership of the Negro are reaching
out to all aspects of our life and culture. This is a true picture of
America that we want the world to see in all its splendor.

In these days of stress, as we search for ways of bringing about
a better understanding among the peoples of the world, it is difficult to
think of a language more readily understood than the language of culture.
As the architects of this festival, President Leopold Sedar Senghor and
the Senegalese nation, encourage us all to speak that language. They are
to be congratulated.

I am honored at the opportunity to be associated with this effort.

* * *

June 22, 1965

MEETING of Executive Committee of
The United States Committee for
The First World Festival of Negro Arts
Tuesday, May 18, 1965, at 3:00 p.m.
15 East 40th Street, New York

Present were -

Mrs. Virginia Inness-Brown, Chairman - presiding

Dr. John A. Davis, Co-Chairman

Mr. Dick Campbell

Mr. Manning Gurion

Mr. Leonard dePaur

Mr. John C. Taylor, 3rd

Mrs. Nora D. Holt

Mr. Ted Tanen, Public Affairs Officer,
American Embassy, Dakar

Dr. Marshall Stearns

Mr. Charles Delgado - observer

The Chairman announced that the State Department has agreed in principle that Quincy Jones, who will be touring Africa for the Department, will be made available to appear at the Festival.

## Report of Mr. Tanen:

Mr. Tanen stated that the Festival is very present in Dakar, and that, at the request of Ambassador Cook, his tour of duty there has been extended for one year to cover the period of the Festival. There will be special officers from the State Department in Dakar during this time, in order that America may do all that it can to assure the success of the Festival.

Mr. Tanen stated that in view of the special problems in Africa, the American program should be tight and very compact, rather than a program which is too extensive.

There will be a very real problem of housing during the Festival period, as the projected hotels will not be started or finished by that time. Although it is understood that France is planning to send a hotel ship, Mr. Tanen said that he doubted if this would be a sufficient answer, as most of this space is geared more to the needs of students, etc. than to the needs of people coming as guests of the Senegalese government. Transportation will also be a problem.

These physical difficulties must be kept in mind when planning the American participation, and the program should certainly be staggered as much as possible.

The Senegalese government has suggested that American participation in the Festival be announced at the same time (May 26, 1965) as the announcement is made of the combining of Pan-American and Air Afrique for their African route. Mr. Delgado was advised that the U.S. Committee's announcement should be a separate one, limited to that subject only.

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Incorporation of the United States Committee:

Mr. Taylor stated that the Certificate of Incorporation is ready and that the By-Laws for the Corporation have been drawn. As soon as agreement from several individuals to serve in various capacities is received, the Certificate will be filed.

The Certificate states that the Committee is incorporating solely for the organization and promotion of American participation in this one festival. This is done because such limitation gives the best advantage toward obtaining the tax exemption. If funds are seen to be available and the Corporation wishes to continue for subsequent festivals, the Certificate can be amended.

The By-Laws set up three classes of membership -

1) Organizational Members

2) Active Members - Includes all persons serving on the Advisory, Communications, Dance, Literary, Music, Theatre, Traditional African Art, and Visual Arts committees. Provision is made for the Directors of the Corporation to create additional committees. Active Members are elected each year by the Organizational Members.

3) Honorary Members - Will be elected each year.

The officers of the Corporation are the President and Vice-President, being Mrs. Inness-Brown and Dr. Davis, respectively, and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors is the policy board of the Corporation and consists essentially of the chairmen of the committees. There will be a small Executive Committee comprised of three people who will be available to take quick action between meetings of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee will consist of Mrs. Inness-Brown, Dr. Davis and Mr. O'Neal.

The president of the Corporation is the chief executive officer, the Chairman of the Board a policy officer without any executive duties.

NOTE: Dr. Bunche is unable to accept an official position in the Corporation because of governmental obligations. It is hoped that Miss Marian Anderson will serve as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Certificate should be filed as soon as possible because of the time necessary to process such incorporation.

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The corporate title will be THE UNITED STATES COMMITTEE, INC.
FOR THE FIRST WORLD FESTIVAL OF NEGRO ARTS.

## Rights

It is necessary to determine the question of the rights with the
artists' unions before contracts can be signed by the U.S. Com-
mittee and subsequent understanding reached with the Senegalese
as to the extent of the rights available to Senegal for the use
of American artists on film, television, radio or other. The
contracts of Mr. Jones and Mr. dePaur are the responsibility of
the State Department.

Mr. Delgado stated that the question of rights with the Senegalese
Festival Association involves three segments, which should be
considered separately -

1) All countries participating in the Festival will invite their national media to cover the Festival and in this regard the U.S. Committee will be expected to accept the conditions applicable to all countries.

2) There is the problem of special television coverage of specific performances, or of oral recordings of these performances. It is here that most of the legal problems arise which must be settled with the Senegalese Association.

3) The Senegalese government is planning to ask participants in the Festival to leave Senegal some productions, which would be concerned with the international art center to be established in Dakar. This is a matter of negotiation.

A distinction can be drawn between the methods of protection against oral recordings and visual recordings. The Committee must determine what is to be protected and then discuss this with the unions and inform the Association of the limitations involved.

Visual recordings present the lesser problem in that such recordings are not as likely to be of commercial quality. Recordings can be controlled in enclosed areas such as the theatre and the museum, and the Festival Association must be consulted to determine the specific machinery that it to be set up to protect the performances, e.g., how it is to be policed and to whom cases of violations are taken.

The case of the stadium and other open areas must be determined separately from the case of enclosed areas.

Oral recordings present a greater difficulty, as it is comparatively easy to make a recording of commercial quality.

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The suggestion was made that recording companies in
the United States be given sole rights to make records,
tapes, etc. of American oral performances to be given
at the Festival. These companies would then assume
the responsibility of guaranteeing protection to the
performing artists.

As the master recordings would be kept in this country,
appropriate royalties would be paid to the artists, and
arrangements would be made with the Senegalese Associa-
tion under which it would receive albums of the recorded
music.

The statement was made that there would be very little difficulty
if the above formula were followed. It is when there is a po-
tential for commercial exploitation that difficulties arise with
the unions. It was further stated that in this instance the
artists might be willing to forego their royalties, as a contri-
bution toward the Cite des Arts.

The possibility of contracting with a major television company
to undertake the filming of the Festival was discussed, with a
view toward making this film available to the Festival Associa-
tion. However, it was acknowledged that great difficulties lie
in obtaining film rights for such productions as *Raisin in the
Sun*, as these rights have already been sold. Filming of a dance
production is very expensive and extremely difficult, and must
be accompanied by an excellent sound track.

It was agreed that any such films should be made in the United
States rather than in Dakar, and it was pointed out that there
is a real problem in using such films in America after the
Festival. Great care must be taken to assure that any docu-
mentaries made of American performances project their true
quality.

In summation, it was agreed that -

a) visual and oral recordings are to be treated differently;

b) documentary films and recordings will be permitted, but
none for entertainment or commercial uses, and ground
rules for policing the recordings must be set up with
the Senegalese Association;

c) attempts will be made to arrange for American recording
companies to make oral recordings, with library albums
going as contributions to Senegal for its permanent
archives; and

d) agreement must be reached with the unions regarding
these separate factors.

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## Exhibition of Contemporary Art:

A communication has been received from Senegal stating that the exhibition space allotted to the U.S. Committee is three walls totaling 20 x 3.5 meters. Members of the Visual Arts Committee will consult with Mr. Lieberman of the Museum of Modern Art to determine the best method of treating this footage, and the number of works which can be displayed effectively. The artists who were to be invited to submit transparencies will not be contacted until this decision is reached.

As the prizes to be given in this field by the U.S. Committee are to be awarded only to Americans, it is thought best to present these awards in this country, and before the works go to Dakar.

## Jazz:

The U.S. Committee will recommend to the State Department that Mr. Jones form a band which can portray the history of jazz, showing the development from Dixieland to modern jazz. Mr. Jones has done this very successfully in the past. It is hoped that two name vocalists will be added to Mr. Jones' group.

## Press Conference:

Even though there are many unsettled questions concerning the extent of the U.S. Committee's program, it is generally agreed that a press conference should be held within the next six weeks. If the press announcement is not made within this time it is thought advisable to wait until the fall. The Chairman agreed that she would consult with the State Department and work with the general manager, publicity agent and others to determine the extent of the information which may be released, and the manner in which this information can be most attractively presented.

## Festival Program:

It is vitally important that immediate steps be taken to determine the precise amount of time that the Committee will have at the Festival. This question must be settled before the program can be planned, the budget determined and fund raising started.

It is thought that four consecutive days is too tight, but that twelve days may be too long a time in ratio to the rest of the participants in the Festival. If the Committee has only four days for performances these performances should not be concentrated within a four-day period, but should be properly staggered.

It was pointed out that the gala performance of a presentation can occur on the same night as the second performance of another presentation.

- 6 -

According to Mr. Delgado, the European countries are sending no performing arts groups, but rather are participating on financial and technical levels, as well as perhaps sending works of art. Countries presenting performing arts groups are the United States, the Caribbean countries, and the nations of Black Africa.

Mr. Tanen stressed the importance of the Chairman's going to Dakar for firsthand observation. Mr. Delgado stated that he had received a cable from the Festival Association stating that they will not be in Dakar until the first of June, with the middle of June suggested for Mrs. Inness-Brown and her delegation's visit.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

* * * *

* NOT FOR PUBLICATION *

MEETING of Chairmen and Members
of the Development Committee of
the United States Committee for
The First World Festival of Negro Arts
Tuesday, July 13, 1965, at 3:00 p.m.
980 Madison Avenue, New York

Present at the meeting, which was chaired by Mrs. Inness-Brown, were -

Dr. John A. Davis, Co-Chairman
Mr. Dick Campbell
Mr. Charles Harris
Mr. James T. Harris,
Mrs. Nora D. Holt
Mr. Langston Hughes

Mr. Mateo Lettunich
Dr. Thomas P. Melady, represented by
Miss Gilberte Woods
Mr. Frederick O'Neal
Mr. George Alan Smith

Mr. Manning Gurian
Mr. Seymour Krawitz
Miss Carolyn Caudle

A general report was made by Mrs. Inness-Brown of the fact-finding trip made by the U.S. Committee delegation to Dakar. This information is contained in the attached memo to Committee members. In addition, the following points were discussed or clarified -

**Colloquiums:** To be held in the National Assembly building from March 31 to April 7. Participants will be nominated by the various countries, and Senegal will nominate five as well, making a total of 35 people. The U.S. Committee will recommend candidates for the colloquiums.

**Book Exhibition and Literary Awards:** The Chairman of the Literary Committee reported that he will be meeting soon to compile the list of 500 books to be exhibited at the Festival (exhibition to be housed in the foyer of the National Assembly building). These books will be donated to Senegal at the end of the Festival as a permanent library and as a contribution of the book publishers of the U.S.A. and the U.S. Committee.

Through an international jury, the Senegalese Festival Association will award literary prizes in several categories, and the Literary Arts Committee will suggest a list of books to be entered in the competitions.

Doubleday & Company has agreed to donate $2,000 as the first prize for fiction to be awarded to an American Negro author. This award will be made in the United States, preferably before the Festival period. The award-winning book will be published by Doubleday, and publicized by them as the winner of the award in connection with the Festival.

- 2 -

The Literary Committee also hopes to select five American Negro authors, their names to be approved by the Executive Committee, to write essays on the Negro in American literature, both as a creator and a subject of literature. It is hoped that this book can be published before the Festival and be made available in Dakar during the Festival period.

The Senegalese Festival Association plans to publish a book of the proceedings of the colloquiums.

**Music Presentations:** U. S. Committee presentations of gospels and Negro spirituals are scheduled for two afternoon performances in the cathedral. The Marian Williams group, which performed in *Black Nativity*, was suggested as the gospel group to be sent. Others suggested include Alex Bradford, the Caravans, and the Clara Ward Singers. It is hoped that William Warfield, and possibly Miss Anderson, would agree to sing spirituals.

It was noted that there have been no known preparations made by the Festival Association to perform the works of contemporary Senegalese composers at the Festival. Because Senegal has no well-established orchestra it would seem that performances of classical orchestral works will not be possible; however, it is thought that the Quincy Jones band could present at least one work of a Senegalese jazz composer, and possibly with native artists joining the group. Also it might be possible for an American artist, or artists, to perform contemporary composers' works of classical nature not requiring an orchestra.

The U.S. Committee hopes that time slots will become available in which classical artists such as Miss Anderson, Mr. Warfield and Miss Arroyo and Miss Arminta Adams can be presented.

**Housing:** The very serious lack of housing facilities in Dakar was discussed, and as a partial solution to the more immediate problems, it was agreed that the possibility of hotel ships from the USA should be explored, along with the possibility of a cruise ship whose passengers would disembark in Dakar and thus leave the ship empty to accommodate others coming to the Festival. It was noted that housing should be arranged for American press representatives, even though the Committee is not responsible for this. It should also be determined if Pan-American Airways can be interested in building a hotel in connection with the new Dakar airport, which will be completed before the Festival period.

It was agreed that all steps should be taken to interest corporations, industry, and others in the development of Senegal.

**Funds for American participation in the Festival:** The goal of the U.S. Committee for American participation in the Festival is $600,000, and it is imperative that the fund drive be instituted immediately. Although the American program has been somewhat reduced, the fact that the Committee has agreed to pay for the local transportation, board and per diem of the Committee's artists and members makes it necessary to retain the present

-3-

budget. This agreement is tantamount to making a sizeable
contribution to the Senegalese for the Festival.

The Committee now has the information necessary for preparing
formal presentations to foundations, corporations, individuals
and others. In this presentation will be an account of the
programs of the State Department and the USIA for the Festival,
and the equivalent cash value of their contributions.

Companies doing business in Black African countries in addition
to Senegal should be approached for contributions (e.g., the
Firestone Company has extensive interests in Nigeria), as the
Festival will present a showcase to all of Latin America, Africa
and Europe, as well as the United States. It was suggested that
the Committee request contributions from these major companies,
possibly for special segments of the American program, saying in
turn that much of what is presented is due to the courtesy of
the companies.

It is hoped that appeals can be made to foundations for matching
funds for contributions raised elsewhere.

The suggestions were made that -

the ICFTU be approached with the request that they
ask the Senegalese labor unions to appeal to the
American Negroes to support the U.S. Committee's work
for the Festival. Mr. Irving Brown, Executive Director
of the African American Labor Center and a member of
the U.S. Committee, was mentioned in this connection.
The names of Miss Fay Loebstone and Miss Maida Springer
of the AFL-CIO were also mentioned.

the Committee endeavor to obtain the use of The
Honorable G. Mennen Williams' list of influential
people with a known interest in Africa.

the Federation of American Musicians, the Farfield
Foundation (Mr. Julius Fleishman), and the Barnes
Foundation of Philadelphia, be among those approached.

among individuals to whom appeals should be made are
Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Congresswoman Frances
Bolton, Mr. Huntington Hartford and Mr. Cyrus Eaton;
Mr. and Mrs. John Mosler of Mosler Safe, Mr. Arthur
Krimm of United Artists, and Mr. William H. Farrell
of the Farrell Lines.

that companies to be approached include, among others,
the Coca-Cola Company, Pepsi-Cola, Pan-American Airways
and Corning Glass,

Members present offered to assist in the fund drive, preparations
for which will begin immediately. There being no further business,
the meeting was adjourned.

December 4, 1964

Dear Committee Member,

Attached are the minutes of the inaugural meeting of the United States Committee for the First World Festival of Negro Arts held September 17, 1964, and the minutes of the Committee meeting held November 6. Also attached is the list of those who have been invited to serve, over ninety percent of whom have accepted.

The sub-committees for theatre, dance, music, the visual arts and literary arts have been meeting to determine programs and budgets, which will be reported on at the next scheduled meeting of the full Committee, on Friday, December 11, at 3:30 p.m., at the Carnegie International Center, 345 East 46th Street, in the lounge.

The Finance Committee and Communications Committee are in formation, and hopefully some announcements can be made at the December 11 meeting regarding the chairmen and members. Appeals to foundations, corporations and individuals will be drafted, based on approved projects and budgets for their implementation.

It is anticipated that we will have full attendance of all committees and members on December 11.

You are cordially invited to remain after the meeting for a reception, which will be a means of informally sharing our common interests. The meeting and reception will last from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. sharp. The agenda for the meeting is attached.

Dr. Davis and I wish to again express our appreciation to you for serving on the U.S. Committee and for contributing your time and effort so generously in the interests of the Festival in Dakar. We look forward with great pleasure to your attendance at this meeting.

Virginia Inness-Brown
Chairman
United States Committee

PS - If you have not already sent us your curricula vitae and your release for the official use of your name as a member of the United States Committee, we would greatly appreciate your doing so at your earliest convenience.

RSVP AMSAC - ORegon 9-9255

MINUTES of Inaugural Meeting of the United States
Committee for the First World Festival of Negro
Arts, held on Thursday, September 17, 1964, at
3:30 p.m., at 245 West 52nd Street, New York City

Attending were -

<table><tr><td>Mrs. Virginia Inness-Brown</td><td>Chairman pro tem<br>United States Committee</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Charles Delgado</td><td>Deputy Chief of Mission<br>of the Republic of Senegal<br>to the United Nations</td></tr><tr><td>The Hon. Alioune N'Doye</td><td>Counselor of Embassy of<br>the Republic of Senegal</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. William S. Dickson</td><td>Program Officer for<br>African Affairs, United<br>States Information Agency</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. J. Roland Jacobs</td><td>Director of the African<br>Affairs Program, Bureau<br>of Cultural Affairs,<br>United States Department<br>of State</td></tr><tr><td>Dr. John A. Davis</td><td>President, American Society<br>of African Culture</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Harry Belafonte</td><td>Represented by Mr. Stein</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Dick Campbell</td><td>Operations Crossroads Africa</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Leonard dePaur</td><td>Director, dePaur Chorus</td></tr><tr><td>Miss Rosamond Gilder</td><td>President, International<br>Theatre Institute</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Charles F. Harris</td><td>Editor, Doubleday & Co.</td></tr><tr><td>Miss Nora Holt</td><td>Critic and writer</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. Langston Hughes</td><td>Poet, author and playwright</td></tr><tr><td>Dr. Warner Lawson</td><td>Dean, College of Fine Arts<br>Howard University</td></tr><tr><td>Mr. William Lieberman</td><td>Curator of Prints and<br>Drawings, Museum of Modern<br>Art</td></tr></table>

- two -

<table>
  <tr>
    <td>Dr. Thomas Patrick Melady</td>
    <td>President, Africa Service Institute of New York, Inc.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Arthur Mitchell</td>
    <td>Dancer, choreographer</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Frederick O'Neal</td>
    <td>President, Actors Equity Association</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Countess Alicia Paolozzi</td>
    <td>Traveling Officer of the International Council of Women; Member, U.S. Commission for UNESCO; Council of Women of the U.S., Inc.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Joseph Papp</td>
    <td>Founder and Director, New York Shakespeare Festival; Advisor for the 1965 Harlem Festival of the Arts</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Dr. James Porter</td>
    <td>Professor, Howard University</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Warren M. Robbins</td>
    <td>Director, Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Donald Shirley</td>
    <td>Composer, pianist</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw</td>
    <td>Invited by the Senegalese Festival Mission from Dakar to participate in a leading position on the U. S. Committee for the Festival</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. William Warfield</td>
    <td>Represented by Mr. Larney Goodkind</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Professor Hale Woodruff</td>
    <td>Painter, Professor of Art New York University</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Whitney Young</td>
    <td>Executive Director, National Urban League, represented by Mrs. Isobel Chisholm Clark</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. John Bradley</td>
    <td>Prod, Inc.-Fund Counsellors as an observer</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Pierre Monosiet</td>
    <td>Assistant Director, Centre d'Art, Port au Prince, Haiti as an observer</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Mr. Henry Lee Munson</td>
    <td>Henry Lee Munson Assoc., Fund Counsellors, as an observer</td>
  </tr>
</table>

- three -

The Chairman pro tem, Mrs. Inness-Brown, called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. She stated that the purpose of the meeting was to form a committee for American participation in the First World Festival of Negro Arts, to be held in Dakar, Senegal, December 17, 1965 to January 6, 1966. The role of the Committee will be to augment and coordinate the official programs of the State Department and the United States Information Agency, to advise on contributions from the private sector and to raise funds to support this participation.

The Chairman introduced Mr. Charles Delgado, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of Senegal to the United Nations, for a report on meetings held in Senegal and elsewhere in regard to the Festival.

Mr. Delgado thanked the Chairman, and complimented her on the preparatory work she had done in assembling the United States Committee. He stated that the Festival is not linked to any racial or nationalistic organization, but that its purpose is to display the contributions made by the Negro to world civilization and culture. Stating that the present program for the Festival is to be considered tentative, Mr. Delgado outlined the promotional and organizational work done thus far, the facilities to be available in Dakar and the countries participating and expected to participate.

The Chairman introduced Mr. N'Doye, who added that the object of the Festival is twofold--first, to focus interest on the Negro's place in and contribution to universal culture, and second, to attract financial support for the Festival and for other festivals from public organizations, foundations, or private individuals.

The Chairman then spoke, outlining the nature of the United States Committee. It will consist of private American citizens and will actually be two committees--an Honorary Committee of distinguished private and official sponsors, and the Executive Committee, composed of those with special interests and competence in promoting and organizing American participation in the Festival. The Chairman said that the Senegalese government has urged her to accept the Chairmanship of the Executive Committee, to organize the various committees and to develop American resources for the Festival; she added that she was reluctant to accept this position but that she would be very happy to offer what assistance she could, and that subsequently at a meeting at the White House with the Senegalese Delegation for the Festival, she had agreed to accept the Chairmanship. The Chairman stated that Dr. John A. Davis has agreed to serve as Co-Chairman of the Executive Committee, and that it has been suggested that Miss Marian Anderson be invited to serve

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as Honorary Chairman of the Executive Committee and Dr. Ralph Bunche be asked to serve as Co-Chairman. Committees to be formed and to function under the direction of the Executive Committee are -

Communications Committee

Dance Committee

Finance Committee

Literary Arts Committee

Music Committee

Theatre Committee

Visual Arts Committee

The Chairman said that there are both short-term and long-term financial goals in connection with the Dakar Festival, the long-term objective being the establishment of a Cite d'Art in Dakar which would be the center in Black Africa for the study and preservation of African culture. This will require very sizeable foundation grants, and it is hoped that friends and members of the Committee will remain together for this future work. In communication with President Senghor, it has been decided that it will be wise to mention this goal at the same time that assistance is sought for the Festival.

Funds for the Festival will be raised through appeals to foundations, corporations and institutions, through individuals and benefits. The involvement on a personal level of community and regional leaders is necessary in order to successfully fulfill the task of the United States Committee, that is, United States representation at the Festival on a quality level, illustrative of the extent, depth and excellence of Negro art and culture, and the recognition of it as a moving force in the development of understanding people, and as a strong force for peace.

between

The Chairman introduced Mr. J. Roland Jacobs, Director of the African Affairs Program, Bureau of Cultural Affairs, U. S. Department of State, to speak of the official program planned by the Department.

Mr. Jacobs stated that the Department of State is taking a great deal of interest in the Festival. He stressed that the State Department considers itself a resource of the Committee, and, subject to the approval of the Committee, outlined the following plans - The Department will send to the Festival two cultural presentation groups, one being a chorus or choir, the other a jazz or modern music group. In addition, they will send four specialists, for instance, a drama director or producer for a play to be staged in Dakar; an American Negro writer to participate in the colloquium; a specialist in Negro arts to discuss and explain exhibits, and, fourth, an all-round expert on Africa,

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The Chairman introduced Mr. William S. Dickson, Program Officer for African Affairs, United States Information Agency, to speak of the USIA's proposed contribution to the Festival.

Mr. Dickson stated that the plans of the USIA are very much in the nebulous stage, and said that they will be working very closely with the State Department, making the distinction that the Department will deal with people and the USIA with things. However, the USIA is considering the possibility of sending an exhibition of Negro art, possibly an exhibit drawn from, and assembled by, various museums around the country. The USIA is also interested in sending films, including pertinent USIA films and educational television films; publications and pamphlets on African studies in the United States and on American-African arts; collections of books by American Negroes. In addition, the USIA could be of great help in helping to publicize the Festival throughout Africa. Mr. Dickson stated that he thought it best that American contribution to the Festival be private wherever at all possible, that this method accomplishes more and is most successful in achieving the desired results.

The Chairman introduced Dr. John A. Davis, President of the American Society of African Culture (AMSAC). Dr. Davis presented an excellent history of AMSAC and of the struggle of the Negro throughout the world to assert his validity and to reclaim his heritage; he pointed out that the Festival will make a great contribution toward this end.

Continuing, Dr. Davis pointed out the immediate need for funds to establish the machinery to organize the United States Committee and to cover administrative costs. The Chairman stated that all fund raising should be done through the Finance Committee in order to obtain the best possible results, adding that Mr. David Rockefeller, President of the Chase Bank, is to be invited to serve as Chairman of the Finance Committee, and that it is hoped he will be consulted and will be interested in furthering the Festival.

The Chairman introduced Mr. Joseph Papp, founder and director of the New York Shakespeare Festival, and presently engaged in the establishment of the Harlem Festival of the Arts.

Mr. Papp commented that from what he understood of the present budget for the Dakar Festival that the amount needed to present a festival had been seriously underestimated, and that professionals involved with the Festival should be paid professional salaries. Mrs. Inness-Brown assured him that this would certainly be the case.

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Mr. Papp outlined for the meeting the inception of the Harlem Festival, describing the type of plays to be produced and how they are to be presented. The Festival will provide on-the-job training for Negro artists, producers and technicians, as well as instituting an occasion for interracial participation on professional and audience levels.

A lengthy discussion followed about the financial requirements for quality presentations of American Negro art and artists at the Festival. It was concluded that detailed plans of American participation must be made, with close consultation with Senegal, before the amount of funds needed could be determined.

It was agreed that all contributions to the Festival will be cleared through AMSAC, in order that contributions are fully deductible for income tax purposes.

Those present at the meeting agreed that the primary consideration is to adhere to the highest standards of artistic quality, and that quantity is a secondary determination based on available funds. Artists representing America will receive salaries consistent with their usual fees.

The Chairman further outlined the types of presentations requested by the Senegalese government, adding that there will be a lively competition of literary works. She stated that the U.S. Committee should concentrate on sending arts events to augment but not included in the State Department and USIA programs. Mr. Delgado stated that while Dakar welcomed a large American participation in the Festival, it must be kept in mind that there will be many countries involved. The Festival must not be overcrowded by the American participation. It was noted that it is important to determine exactly what Senegal expects of the American participation, both artistic and intellectual. Dr. Melady was hopeful that steps could be taken in America to insure, if possible, that less affluent nations are able to make their particular contributions to the Festival, and not be excluded because of lack of funds.

At the request of the Chairman, Mr. Delgado discussed fully the activities of Dr. Robert Pritchard and his assertions that he had the authority to form a committee for American participation in the Festival. Mr. Delgado explained the circumstances of this misunderstanding; qualified Dr. Pritchard's activities as "illegal"; stated that Dr. Pritchard has no authority whatsoever to undertake any activities or partial activities regarding the Festival, and that he (Mr. Delgado) was at this time giving the guarantee and assurance of his government and the Festival Mission that the group now assembled is the only one entitled to represent the interests of the First World Festival of Negro Arts in the United States. Mr. Delgado stated that the United States Committee should be prepared to issue press releases to refute any further claims or actions made by Dr. Pritchard.

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At this time the Chairman invited everyone present at the meeting to serve on the United States Committee for American participation in the Festival. After discussion, in which it was agreed that the committee could be enlarged, suggestions were called for regarding the sub-committees to be formed, and it was proposed by Mr. Hughes, seconded by Dr. Melady, and unanimously carried that -

> Those present at the meeting constitute the initial membership of the United States Committee for American participation in the First World Festival of Negro Arts, and that this is the sole organ to represent the United States of America, and that Virginia Inness-Brown be officially designated Chairman.

Mr. Delgado stated that all communications from the Chairman of the United States Committee regarding the Festival should be addressed to President Senghor, or to Mr. Dou Dou Thien, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Further discussion followed concerning American participation in the Festival. As a summation, Dr. Davis pointed out that it is imperative that the Committee decide what the total impact of the American presentation in Dakar should be. He stated that two things should be done - first, to demonstrate excellent artists, and secondly, to demonstrate the creativity of the Negro, adding that it is a question of balance and that the best people must be sent, whether or not they happen to be celebrities. They should be the best and they should be well paid.

Mr. Delgado reassured the Committee of full cooperation in every field by the Senegalese government, and said that he would keep the Committee informed of all developments in Dakar relative to the Festival, adding that the Senegalese government would work closely with the Committee in an advisory capacity and would sit in at meetings as observers.

The Chairman stated that the members of the Committee will be informed as to the date and place of the next meeting. She expressed appreciation and gratification to all, and stated that she is confident that with the outstanding individuals now serving on the U.S. Committee, American participation on a high level of excellence is guaranteed.

There being no further business, the inaugural meeting of the United States Committee for the First World Festival of Negro Arts was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

MINUTES of Meeting of United States Committee
First World Festival of Negro Arts

Thursday, January 21, 1965 at 3:00 p.m.
Board Room, The American National Theatre & Academy
245 West 52nd Street, New York

Attending were -

Mrs. Virginia Inness-Brown, Chairman, presiding

His Excellency Ousmane Soce Diop

Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal
to the United States

The Honorable Alioune N'Doye

Charge d'Affairs of the Embassy
of the Republic of Senegal

Senegalese Mission to the United Nations

Miss Osceola Archer

Miss Martina Arroyo

Mr. Dick Campbell

Mr. Larney Goodkind - also representing Mr. William Warfield

Mrs. Nora D. Holt

Mr. Langston Hughes

Mr. Jacob Lawrence

Mr. Arthur Mitchell

Mr. Frederick O'Neal

Dr. Saunders Redding

Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw

Mr. Perry Watkins

Mr. Norman Harris - as an observer (Atwater-Bradley Co.)

The meeting was called to order at 3:20 p.m. by the Chairman, who welcomed and introduced the new members of the United States Committee.

The minutes of the meeting of the U.S. Committee of December 11, 1964 were approved with the following correction - In the third paragraph of page five, a typographical error listed the cost of transporting the exhibition of contemporary art to Dakar and back as $2,000. The correct amount is $12,000.

After expressing to the Chairman his country's deep appreciation for and confidence in her work for the Festival, Ambassador Diop addressed the Committee, thanking it for its help to Senegal and to the Festival. The Ambassador spoke of the American participation as the hope of the Festival. Ambassador Diop assured the

* NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION *

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Committee that he will make every effort to obtain necessary in-
formation about the Festival programs as soon as possible.

Report of the Chairman

In her report to the Committee, the Chairman stated that she and Mrs. Thaw have recently met in Washington with Professor Jean Gabus, UNESCO specialist for the selection of works of traditional African art to be exhibited in Dakar. It was learned at this time that UNESCO is only sending Dr. Gabus to the United States to select such works, and that it is not assuming the cost of the transportation, etc. for the exhibition, as had been understood by the Committee. The Chairman stated that the State Department and the USIA have expressed a negative reaction toward supplying these necessary funds and that, therefore, the United States Committee will have to assume the financial responsibility for the exhibition of traditional African art. The sum needed for the exhibition is approximately $30,000. Dr. Gabus has selected seventy-seven pieces from museums and private collections around the country, and it is hoped that the American exhibition will finally comprise about fifty works. Dr. Robert Goldwater, Director of the Museum of Primitive Art in New York, has become a member of the United States Committee, and it is hoped that he will agree to obtain the loan of these works from their owners. Dr. Goldwater has been of invaluable assistance to Professor Gabus in putting the archives and facilities of his museum at the Professor's disposition, and in helping him in every way.

The Chairman stated that the new museum in Dakar will be avail-
able solely for the exhibition of traditional African art, and
that the works of contemporary art will be placed in a gallery
in the Building of Justice in Dakar. In reply to the Chairman's
question, Ambassador Diop stated that he does not know of the
conditions and facilities of this gallery, but that such informa-
tion will be quickly obtained.

The Chairman informed the Committee of Mr. N'Doye's report to the Executive Committee meeting of January 13. At this time Mr. N'Doye stated that the dates of the Festival have been officially changed to April 1 through April 24, 1966. Although it was impossible to foresee until this time, the original date of the Festival coincides with the sacred Islamic period of Ramadan, during which those of the Moslem faith sharply curtail all activity. Ramadan is not a fixed religious period, and in 1965 starts the week before Christmas. Senegal is almost 90% Moslem, and with the exception of Tunisia, all countries of Africa recognize this period. The government of Senegal decided in consequence that it was necessary to change the date of the Festival in order to avoid any social or religious factors which would mar the success of the Festival and prevent attendance.

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Mr. N'Doye contacted the State Department immediately after re-
ceiving official notice of the change of date, and as the
information was received in time to prevent the signing of con-
tracts with artists to be sent to Dakar, the Department foresees
no difficulty due to the change.

The Festival period will include the same number of days as
originally planned. The new dates are considered to be equally
good because of the fact that it is still the cool season in Dakar
and because Easter falls during this time (April 10). The holi-
days resulting from the Easter season make this time convenient
for both participants and visitors to the Festival, including
professors from universities who will be involved in colloquiums.

The U.S. Committee is taking a positive attitude toward the change of date, and welcomes it as additional time to prepare programs and to raise funds.

The Chairman stated that she has been assured by Mr. Harry C. McPherson, Jr., Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, that he has recommended to the White House that Mrs. Johnson accept the Honorary Chairmanship of the United States Committee. No word has been received from Mr. Rockefeller, who is presently in Peru, concerning his joining the Committee; however, the Chairman noted that the Committee can not delay announcements of the Festival and its work much longer.

The Chairman said that the IBM World Trade Corporation is offer-
ing support of the efforts of the U.S. Committee and has suggested
making its gallery on 57th Street and Madison Avenue available
for a New York exhibition of the contemporary art following Dakar.
Mr. O'Neal suggested that corporations may like to underwrite
specific phases of American participation, thereby deriving a
great deal of recognition for their support.

In a brief review of the budget, the Chairman stated that the
Committee needs to raise a minimum of $500,000. The estimated
cost of transportation of people and cargo has been increased
to $130,000 from an estimated $120,000, the cost of administra-
tion is $60,000 minimum from September, 1964 through the period
of the Festival. Although the Senegalese government is assuming
the cost of board, room and transportation of participants to the
Festival the Executive Committee feels that an added per diem
of $5 should be supplied to everyone by the Committee as "pin
money," amounting to a maximum of $15,000. A contingency fund
of $35,000 is included in the overall budget.

Programs and Budgets

Visual Arts: Mrs. Thaw greeted Mr. Jacob Lawrence, who has recently returned from Africa, as a new and valuable member of the Visual Arts Committee.

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In a brief review of the exhibition of contemporary art, Mrs. Thaw stated that there will be between 75 and 85 works of art, including paintings, drawings, sculpture and prints. After the Executive Committee meeting of January 13, Mr. N'Dove wrote President Senghor asking about the conditions and space available in the gallery of the Palace of Justice, and the committee is presently waiting for this information.

Mr. Roy Moyer, Director of the American Federation of Arts, has submitted a budget of $32,500 for collecting the works, preparing them for exhibition, shipping, insuring and returning them to their owners, and the USIA has this budget under consideration. The amount quoted is based on maximum figures, and therefore may be considerably lower. The USIA has offered to print a catalogue in French as well as in English, and it is hoped that it will include at least one photograph of the work of each participating artist.

Mrs. Thaw and Mrs. Inness-Brown have met with Mrs. Van Arsdale, Chief of Touring Exhibitions of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian is seriously considering the possibility of touring the contemporary exhibition of American Negro art throughout the United States after the exhibition at the Festival. Mr. Moyer has also mentioned the possibility of the AFA's arranging such a tour.

The Committee will offer awards to the artists totaling $7,500, a $3,000 first prize, a $2,000 second, a $1,500 third, and ten honorable mention awards of $100 each. The government of Senegal will also give medals for the best works of art in the total exhibition of works from all countries.

Professor Woodruff, Mr. Alston and Dr. Porter have almost completed their list of artists to be invited to submit works for selection by the committee. However, the committee has delayed writing these artists until it is determined whether or not Mrs. Johnson will accept the Honorary Chairmanship of the U.S. Committee.

In reply to Dr. Redding's question, Mrs. Thaw stated that the Visual Arts Committee has excluded photography from its planning because it thinks that photographs should comprise a separate exhibition, and it is thought that funds should be raised for the contemporary art exhibition before attempting a photography exhibit. Dr. Davis asked that the Committee determine whether the Senegalese government is including photography in the exhibits. He stated that he certainly hopes that Dakar will consider this if they have not already done so, and added that some of the new photographers in Africa are becoming serious artists. Mr. Delgado said that he believes this to be a very limited field in most parts of Africa, and the Chairman stated that the Committee should keep the desirability of a photographic exhibit in mind.

At Mrs. Thaw's request, the Chairman outlined the UNESCO exhibition, as delineated by Professor Gabus.

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The Chairman stated that the new museum in Dakar has been especially constructed under the guidance of Dr. Gabus for the exhibition of traditional African art. Half of the planned exhibition will come from Africa, half from collections in other countries, including the United States, France and Switzerland. It is hoped that a permanent exhibition can be established in the museum in Dakar, which is part of the projected Cite des Arts. Dr. Gabus has expressed great delight with the quality of the American collections that he has seen in New York and Washington. Collections in other cities were studied, and objects of art chosen through slides, etc. in the archives of the Museum of Primitive Art, and in consultation with its director, Dr. Goldwater.

On the basis of this landmark exhibition of traditional African art, UNESCO plans to publish a large and definitive book, also an exhaustive catalogue and a standard reference work.

**Communications:** Mrs. Holt, Chairman of the Communications Committee asked that her report be held in abeyance until a future date.

**Dance:** Mr. Mitchell stated that he has still been unable to contact most of the performing artists who are members of his committee; however, he and Mr. Walter Terry have formulated two tentative programs, with alternate suggestions in the event that a choreographer is unable to participate.

The Dance Committee budget of $52,300 includes a musical director, stage manager, technician and sound man, and a company of six principals and twenty dancers, including the tap dancers Cole & Atkins. All music used in the performances will be on tape, and an amount of $10,000 has been added to the budget for this purpose, making a total of $62,300.

Mr. Mitchell stated that Mr. George Balanchine has expressed great interest in the dance company to be formed for the Festival and has offered the New York State Theatre rehearsal space, thus effecting a saving of $2,000 for the rental of a rehearsal hall. Mr. Balanchine has said that he is willing to give artistic advice to the company and help coordinate its programs. The U.S. Committee is delighted to accept his valuable advice and support, and is deeply appreciative. Walter Terry has agreed to be program advisor.

Mr. Ted Shawn, of Jacob's Pillow, has stated that he would like to present the dance company in the United States after its return from the Festival.

**Literary Arts:** The Chairman reported for Mr. Harris, chairman of the Literary Arts Committee. The committee is continuing to compile a bibliography of works, which the USIA may present.

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to the government of Senegal after the Festival in the name of
the Committee and the publishers. It is hoped that some of
these works will be translated into French. There will be
thirteen awards made in literary arts, totaling $7,500 and
broken down into $3,000, $2,000, $1,500 and ten honorable men-
tion awards of $100 each. Of this amount the Committee will
supply $5,000 and the publishers $2,500. The publishers will
donate the books, and it is hoped that there will be duplicate
copies given in order that a reading room can be established in
addition to the exhibit. It is important that the Committee
determine how the exhibition will be housed and protected.

Mr. Hughes stated that a small exhibit of rare books would make
an excellent addition to the American exhibition, and Dr. Redding
agreed to help him in this attempt. It is thought that books
can be loaned from the Schonberg Collection, the Widener Library
and Howard University. Mr. Hughes suggested that the committee
seek the advice of Mrs. Augusta Baker at the 42nd Street Library
in regard to rare books.

Mr. Harris has informed the Chairman that Doubleday wishes to
publish a book for the Festival colloquium. As the exact nature
of the colloquium has not been determined, it is not yet certain
who will be sent to participate in addition to Mr. Hughes. It
was agreed that it is desirable to have American Negro authors
write essays on the American Negro's place in literature and in
society, and further agreed that the authors themselves should
present their essays in order to achieve the desired stimulant
to intellectual exchange. Dr. Davis pointed out that authors
Baldwin, Ellison, Hughes and Redding, for example, all have
different points of view, and that together with the African
writers and writers from other countries, their colloquium could
produce a great watermark in the area of literary exchange. It
is hoped that a full anthology of comment on fields of Negro
writing can be developed out of this colloquium.

As the authors should have at least five or six months in which
to write these papers, Mr. Hughes was asked by the Chairman to
begin contacting them as soon as possible. Mr. Hughes stated
that he thought he could assemble a list and contact the authors
within a month or six weeks.

In answer to Mr. Hughes' question, the Chairman stated that
while each committee holds a certain degree of autonomy in mak-
ing selections of individuals, works of art, etc., it is neces-
sary that their recommendations be submitted for consideration
to the Executive Committee and the U.S. Committee in order that
the entire program will be fully coordinated.

Mr. Hughes pointed out that there are a number of excellent
Negro illustrators, for example, Ernie Crichlow and Lewis Jones,
whose work should be recognized at the Festival. It was agreed
that this subject properly falls under the Visual Arts Committee

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and Mr. Hughes and Mr. Lawrence agreed to work together to compile a list to be considered. Mrs. Thaw commented that many of the illustrators who would be on the list are also being asked to participate in the exhibition of contemporary art, and asked that the committee hold a meeting to determine the best approach to this suggestion.

**Music:** The Chairman stated that in the absence of Mr. dePaur and Dr. Lawson there were no further plans to report concerning music other than jazz. The Committee agreed that this segment of the Music Committee has not advanced beyond the preliminary stages, and it is hoped that meetings will be held soon to formulate concrete plans. The Chairman stated that a budget of approximately $30,000 is projected by the U.S. Committee for great singers and specialists already recommended by the Music Committee.

There was a brief discussion of the proposed commissioning of a new work for the Festival, and the composer Julia Perry was mentioned in addition to William Grant Still. An amount of $2,500 is foreseen as the fee to the composer.

In his absence, the Chairman presented Dr. Stearns' proposal for the jazz portion of the music program. It is hoped that the State Department will consider Quincy Jones as the large band, for it is believed that he is the ideal man to form such a band as he not only has the necessary rapport with jazz artists, but is also a vice-president of Mercury Records and should be able to get any jazz musician that he wants. For the Committee's contribution to jazz it was pointed out that each of the group leaders suggested plays a different instrument. Dr. Stearns has suggested sending five jazz groups, two blues singers and two jazz vocalists -

Dizzy Gillespie Quintet

Art Blakey Sextet

Randy Weston Quintet

Cannonball Adderley Sextet

Mongo Santamaria Quartet

Sonny Terry and Brown McGhee - blues singers

Sara Vaughn and Jimmy Rushing - jazz vocalists

The sum of $28,000 is anticipated as an approximate budget for the jazz program to be supported by the U.S. Committee.

In a general discussion of the jazz program, Mr. O'Neal stated that it is very important to place an appropriate emphasis on jazz as one of the few unique contributions the United States has made to world culture. It was also noted that the Afro-Cuban band of Mongo Santamaria should be unusually well-received in Dakar, as it stems from African music, with the added excitement of jazz techniques.

Mr. Delgado noted that most of the suggested jazz groups play in a modern vein, and stated that it is to be hoped that the

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American contribution will include a Dixieland band, especially as this is the origin of all jazz. Mr. Hughes suggested that the Dixieland band of Henry "Red" Allen be considered.

Mr. Mitchell stated that Miles Davis has expressed great interest in the Festival, and pointed out that although he has no band of his own he would be an enormous asset to the jazz program. The Committee agreed that it is highly desirable to send a representative collection of jazz recordings to Dakar, and that these should be made available for purchase at the Festival if possible.

**Theatre:** Before presenting the proposal of the Theatre Committee Mr. O'Neal noted that the committee chairmen had previously been requested to give a justification of their programs. Although many who are outside of a particular field are not aware of the amount of work involved in reaching perfection as an artist, the artist, both individually and collectively, represents a great contribution in the performance of his art. It is to be noted that theatre is where all arts meet, and that many kindred fields have sprung from the theatre.

Mr. O'Neal stated that at a meeting attended by Miss Carroll, Miss Archer, Mr. Peters, and by phone, Mr. Killens, the unanimous decision had been reached to recommend the production of Lorraine Hansberry's *Raisin in the Sun*. The reason for this choice is two-fold, in that this play, which won the Drama Critic's Award of 1959, deals with a theme common to all, that of the struggle to rise above a low level of existence against fairly great odds and secondly, that this performance can be dedicated to the memory of Miss Hansberry, who was one of our most prominent playwrights.

Mr. O'Neal stated that Lloyd Richards might agree to direct the play for Dakar, and that Ossie Davis has agreed to assume his original role in the play. As the State Department is sending both Ossie Davis and Rubie Dee to the Festival as a husband and wife team, it is probable that Miss Dee will also perform the role she played in the Broadway production.

The budget for the production is approximately $46,000 and includes production costs, stage manager, assistant stage manager, and thirteen actors, as well as bonds and a contingency fund. Although this may seem a large sum for one production, it is to be remembered that almost the same amount must be spent for one presentation as would be necessary for an extended run. Although the usual cost of sets would be around $26,000, Mr. Perry Watkins has agreed to design a suggestive set for $2,000, plus a fee of $600. Mr. O'Neal noted that by designing this lightweight, easily transportable set, Mr. Watkins will make a great contribution to theatre as well as to his particular field of design as the main reason why theatre is so seldom sent abroad is the immense cost of constructing and transporting sets. The Chairman added that this may well be the beginning of a series of dramatic productions

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abroad, as the State Department has been studying the solution
to the problem of scenery easily transportable.

Mr. O'Neal briefly outlined the requirements that must be met in
Dakar for staging the play, and the Chairman suggested that Mr.
Watkins be asked to go to Dakar to determine the available facil-
ities. Mr. Mitchell was asked to present a list of the informa-
tion he needs to Mr. Watkins, and Mr. Campbell will also collaborate
with Mr. Watkins in formulating a detailed list of information
to be obtained.

The Chairman expressed to Mr. O'Neal the U.S. Committee's great
pleasure at the choice of Raisin in the Sun. She stated that
the USIA has been receiving requests from Africa for a scholar-
ship, to be presented in the name of Lorraine Hansberry, and given
to an African playwright or theatre specialist for study in the
United States. An amount of $5,000 has been added to the U.S.
Committee's budget for such a grant, and it is hoped that a way
will be found to make this a continuing scholarship.

The Chairman stated that a budget of $20,000 has been projected
for the production of Black Nativity, and asked Miss Carroll
for accurate production figures. It was agreed that it would
be wise to assemble as much of the original company as possible.
Mr. Hughes stated that Mrs. Graner has expressed interest in this
production and hopes to take it on a tour through Africa after
the Festival.

Mr. O'Neal informed the Committee that the theatre company plans
to be in Dakar for ten days, in order to have several days both
before and after their performances. It is important that the
length of stay of all participants be determined.

**Films:** The Committee agreed that it should recommend films to the USIA to be sent to the Festival, and the movie *Nothing But A Man* was suggested.

**General Manager:** The Chairman stated that the budget for the U.S. Committee provides for the salary of a full-time general manager, who should begin work as soon as possible. Both Mr. Campbell and Miss Gertrude Macy are unable to accept this position because of previous commitments, and the Chairman asked for suggestions from the Committee members. Suggested were Mr. Manning Gurian, Mr. Charles Blackwell as assistant general manager, and Mr. Jimmy Wall as an excellent stage manager.

**Transportation:** The Chairman stated that, through Mayfair Travel, Pan American has given the Committee figures for all categories of flights, including individual, groups and full charter. Mayfair Travel has quoted an approximate sum of $75,000 for transportation of about 151 people, and approximately $45,000 for cargo. An extra $10,000 has been included in the budget for possible additional cargo expenses. The Committee can not assume

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financial responsibility for anyone accompanying the artists,
such as personal secretaries, managers or relatives. If the
newspapers do not send their representatives to cover the Festi-
val, the Committee must be in a position to do so. The general
press is to be approached, including magazines which can carry
articles of import both before and after the Festival.

**Publicity and Sources of Funds.** The possibilities of income from television, movies and records should be fully explored. This might include the broadcasting via TelStar of a benefit performance in which a musical work especially commissioned for the Festival could be performed. Every avenue of resources will be pursued. It has further been suggested by the White House that presentations taken to Dakar should tour to other parts of Africa, including State Department projects. A souvenir program of the highest caliber should be planned, in which pages of advertising would be sold, and this would have the added advantage of giving the sponsor important coverage and distribution. It was suggested that John Hammond be approached in regard to records. The Chairman mentioned that the Chairman of the Board of the advertising firm of Kenyon & Eckhardt might agree to present a program of Festival presentations to his clients for television.

**Dr. Robert Pritchard.** Dr. Pritchard appears to be continuing with his activities concerning the Festival. He has written Ambassador Cook, President Senghor and officials of the Senegalese government vilifying the U.S. Committee, and stating that the Committee and its Chairman is not supported by American Negro artists, whom he claims will boycott the Festival. Dr. Pritchard has also approached several foundations in New York for support for his plans for the Festival.

The Chairman stated that this matter was discussed fully in a
meeting with Mr. J. Roland Jacobs, Director of African Affairs,
State Department. At this time a letter was sent by Mr. Jacobs
to Ambassador Cook, stating that the Department of State fully
supports the U.S. Committee, and that any activity on the part
of the Festival in the United States would be channeled through
the Committee.

Mr. N'Doye stated that Ambassador Diop has conferred with Presi-
dent Senghor on this matter, and that President Senghor has
written to Dr. Pritchard informing him that the government of
Senegal has given the U.S. Committee complete authority for
American participation, and demanding that he (Dr. Pritchard)
immediately cease and desist all independent activities outside
of the U.S. Committee. Mr. N'Doye further stated that the govern-
ment of Senegal feels that it is best to ignore all further
communications and activities of Dr. Pritchard.

Mr. Hughes stated that the general consensus of opinion among
those who know Dr. Pritchard is that he is highly unstable.

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The Chairman thanked the Committee for its support and for her acceptance by the artists, stating that the esprit de corps among those working for American participation in the Festival is truely unique and remarkable.

The Committee was informed that President Senghor has met with the President of Guinea in regard to a music festival which was to have been held in Guinea, and which would have coincided with the Festival in Dakar. It was decided at this meeting that the Guinea festival will be postponed for two years, at which time the Second World Festival of Negro Arts will take place there. Mr. O'Neal noted that Mr. Poitier and Mr. Belafonte were involved with this festival, and that now they will probably be free to participate in the Festival in Dakar.

After thanking the members of the Committee for their continued support and interest, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m.

* * * * *

MINUTES of Meeting of
The United States Committee for the
First World Festival of Negro Arts
Friday, April 23, 1965, at 3:00 p.m.
Institute of International Education
809 United Nations Plaza, New York

Present were -

Chairman - Mrs. Virginia Inness-Brown, presiding

Co-Chairman - Dr. John A. Davis

Mr. Irving Brown, represented by
Miss Naomi Spats
Mr. Robert Farris Thompson
Mr. William Warfield

Professor Sterling A. Brown
Mr. Perry Watkins

Mr. Dick Campbell
Mr. Leonard dePaur
Mr. Randy Weston, represented by Miss Guey
Mr. Hoyt Fuller

Mr. Larney Goodkind
Also present:

Mrs. Nora D. Holt
Dr. Warner Lawson
Mr. Charles Delgado

Mr. Mateo Lettunich
Mr. Henry Munson, represented by Mr. Pugh

Mr. Frederick O'Neal
Mr. John C. Taylor - counsel

Mr. Brock Peters
Mr. Manning Gurion - general manager

Dr. Saunders Redding
Mr. Seymour Krawitz -

Mr. Warren Robbins
Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw
publicity

The Chairman called the meeting to order, with a special welcome to members of the Committee attending a meeting for the first time. The minutes of the U.S. Committee meeting of January 21, 1965 were approved.

## I. Report of the Chairman

The Chairman stated that she had recently been to Washington to take part in a short television film made by the USIA to publicize the Festival in English-speaking Africa. Participating with her on this panel discussion were Dr. James A. Porter, moderator, and Mr. Ben Enwonwu, a noted sculptor and Official Advisor on Art to Nigeria on a world basis. This film and others projected by the USIA will not be shown until after American participation has been officially announced.

The Chairman informed the Committee that she has received a letter of authority from President Senghor (dated Dakar, January 15, 1965), naming the U.S. Committee as the sole authority to speak for the Festival in the United States.

The Honorable Adlai E. Stevenson has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Honorary Committee.

* * NOT FOR PUBLICATION * *

- 2 -

A Development Committee has been formed to determine the proper leadership of the Finance Committee and the methods of raising funds for American participation in the Festival. Its present membership includes: Mr. John Bradley, Atwater-Bradley Co.; Mr. Wilbert Lemelle, Program Associate, Middle East Africa, Ford Foundation; Mr. Mateo Lettunich, Head, Arts Division, Institute of International Education; Mr. C. Bruce MacKenzie, Director, Communications, Europe, IBM World Trade Corporation; Dr. Thomas Patrick Melady, President, Africa Service Institute of New York; Dr. Waldemar Neilsen, Director, African American Institute; Colonel Samuel Rosenbaum, Trustee, Music Performances Trust Funds of the Recording Industries; Mr. William Simms, Director, NUL Fund, National Urban League; Mr. George Alan Smith, Special Studies, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Mr. John C. Taylor 3rd, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind & Wharton; and Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw.

The Chairman introduced Mr. Manning Gurion as the General Manager for American participation in the Festival, and stated that she, Mr. Gurion, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Krawitz have been working together to organize the administrative branch of the U.S. Committee.

The United States Committee consists of almost one hundred actively serving members. Government officials serve ex officio on the Committee, with the exception of those serving in honorary positions.

## II. Information About Committees

It is hoped that ways will be found to tour both the theatre and dance groups throughout Africa after the Festival. The Traditional African Art exhibition, which will be underwritten by the U.S. Committee and sponsored by UNESCO, will go on to Paris for exhibition after the Festival. The Visual Arts Committee has compiled the list of outstanding artists to be invited to submit works; these invitations will be issued either in June or in the early fall.

Mrs. Augusta Baker, Co-Ordinator of Children's Activities, Donnell Library Center, has offered to compile the bibliography of books to be exhibited at the Festival. There will be approximately five hundred titles, and it is hoped that the publishers will donate extra copies which can be made available in a public reading room at the Festival.

The Music Committee has been working on its list of solo artists to be recommended for the classical performances, among whom are Adele Addison, Martina Arroyo, Camilla Williams and William Warfield. The Committee hopes to send a sizeable jazz representation to Dakar, and efforts are being made to determine the amount of performance time that can be allotted to this.

- 3 -

An exhibition of photographs and a rare book exhibition are both considered desirable, as these additional factors can add greatly to the aura of the Festival.

The Chairman reminded the Committee that although the State Department is sending the four specialists, the jazz band and the chorus, it is making no actual funds available to the U.S. Committee.

Mr. Delgado reported on the progress of the Festival Association in Dakar, saying that many additional countries have officially joined the Festival, including Trinidad, Jamaica, and Brazil. Nigeria has accepted the invitation to be the star country, in honor of its unique artistic contribution. The new 1200 seat theatre has been completed, and the 15,000 seat stadium, though new, has been refurbished for the Festival. There are to be both gala evenings in the theatre and evenings for the public in the stadium.

### III. Press Conference

The initial press conference planned for the middle of April was postponed because of the threatened newspaper strike. New dates suggested for the conference are Tuesday, May 11 or May 18, and members of the Committee are to be canvassed to determine the date convenient to the largest number of people.* The press conference will be covered by television, news reels, government, national and international press, and it is important that all chairmen and as many Committee members and performing artists as possible be present, along with officials of the State Department, the USIA, the Government of Senegal, the U.S. Mission and the United Nations.

Although it should not be overlooked that the government is giving considerable recognition to the national importance of the Committee's work, and that it is desirable to convey a certain amount of governmental presence, it is, however, important to avoid any impression of governmental seal and direction. Because of this it is thought best to hold the press conference in a location not as closely identified with the Federal Government as the U.S. Mission. A suggested location is the non-profit Institute of International Education.

A great deal of the impact of the Committee lies in the fact that the effort is being made by private citizens, not by the

* Because of the number of questions which have arisen since the meeting and which require further planning, it has been necessary to further postpone the press conference.

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government. Much of the publicity should be geared toward
helping the fund raising effort, and it was stressed that
fund raising would become extremely difficult if the public
receives the impression that the government is paying for
a large portion of the American effort.

The initial press conference should outline the committees,
the intent and presence of the Committee and the philosophy
behind its effort. After this announcement should come a
rapid fire of releases which publicize the plans and excite-
ment of particular projects. Care should be taken to avoid
premature leaks of information.

#### IV. Adjustment of Budget

Mr. Gurion explained the adjusted budget of $600,000, based
on present plans. He emphasized the need to obtain funds in
the immediate future, and outlined plans for the preparation
of a small handbook for presentation which will describe the
philosophy and extent of American participation and detail
plans, budgets and financial needs.

### V. Report of Counsel

1. Mr. Taylor, counsel for the Committee, advised that the Committee should incorporate itself as a New York membership corporation. The corporation, which should be created now to give the greatest possible flexibility, is formed by filing a Certificate of Incorporation stating the basic makeup; afterwards there is the election of the Board of Directors, the naming of officers and subsequent delegation of authority, adoption of By-Laws and statement of classes of membership available. It is recommended that this be done before the initial press conference.

Although the United States Committee has been able, through
the American Society of African Culture, to receive donations
to the Committee on a tax deductible basis, Mr. Taylor pointed
out that many people hesitate to give to one organization
through another. The United States Committee must be tax
exempt before it can receive direct contributions, and the
legal status resulting from incorporation would greatly
simplify, if not be essential to, the gaining of the tax
exemption.

Mr. Taylor also stated that the corporation should be
formed to have perpetual existence, in view of the fact that
if the Festival is successful there will be more than likely be
a nucleus which will want to continue activities for future
festivals. The tax exemption would be obtained only for the
1966 Festival; however, this is easily changed if the corpora-
tion continues.

- 5 -

It was moved and unanimously RESOLVED by the U.S. Committee
that

The United States Committee incorporate itself
for the purposes of its work, and with a view
toward continuing after the Festival of Negro
Arts to be held in 1966.

2. The Chairman informed the Committee that President Senghor has requested that all funds raised by the U.S. Committee be directly transferred to the Senegalese treasury. Mr. Taylor advised the Committee that to agree to transfer any funds from the U.S. Committee might seriously jeopardize the Committee's chances of obtaining a tax exemption. Because of this, the Chairman said that the transfer of funds can not be guaranteed.

3. The Chairman stated that President Senghor has further asked that all rights connected with American performances at the Festival be reserved exclusively to the Dakar Festival Association. Mr. Taylor stated that this agreement would seem to be precluded by both U.S. copyright laws and the laws of unions for the protection of artists' rights.

Without complete control of rights, it is virtually impossible for the Committee to protect the rights of artists, and without the guarantee of such protection it is doubtful if contracts can be obtained with the individual artists and for the rights to plays, literary properties, etc. However, the Festival Association clearly must own enough rights to allow them to make documentary reports of the Festival, and Mr. Taylor recommended that joint meetings be held with representatives of unions involved in order to reach agreement on this question with all unions.

The suggestion was made that the Festival Association be given the rights for which they are asking, but with restrictions which would make it responsible for policing the agreement. The element of giving should be considered as well as the element of protection, and the Festival is deserving of assistance and generosity from American artists, in view of the fact that Senegal is providing the platform and exposure for this world inventory of Negro art.

Mr. Delgado stated that he will inform his government of the legal problems which have arisen and the seriousness with which the U.S. Committee is regarding these two questions. He pointed out that while the question of rights must be kept in mind, it is to be hoped that these national interests can be considered in the light of the great international cultural venture.

- 6 -

The Chairman stated that a letter is being drafted to President Senghor covering these points, and that the Committee will be kept informed of all developments, in this matter as well as all matters pertinent to the Committee's efforts.

There being no further business before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.

* * * *

MINUTES of Executive Committee Meeting of
the First World Festival of Negro Arts

333 East 68th Street, Apartment 6-A

March 19, 1965

Present were -

Mrs. Virginia Inness-Brown Chairman - presiding

Dr. John A. Davis Co-Chairman

Dick Campbell Mr. Charles Delgado
Miss Katherine Dunham Senegalese Mission to
Manning Gurion - general manager the U.N.

Charles F. Harris

James T. Harris, Jr. Mr. Norman Harris
Mrs. Nora D. Holt Atwater-Bradley Co.

Langston Hughes

Arthur Mitchell

Frederick O'Neal Mr. Seymour Krawitz
Countess Alicia Paolozzi press agent

Dr. Marshall Stearns

Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw

I. **Report of the Chairman**

1. On a recent trip to Washington the Chairman took part in a panel discussion about the Festival which was filmed by the USIA to be shown to the English-speaking peoples of Africa. Also present on this panel were Dr. James Porter and Mr. Ben Enwonwu, Official Advisor on Art to Nigeria on a world basis and a noted sculptor. Further films of this type are projected by the USIA to publicize the Festival in Africa.

2. Meetings were also held in the Cultural Affairs (Africa) Bureau of the State Department. The State Department is considering picking up Armenta Adams, pianist, and taking her to Dakar for the Festival. This is in addition to the four specialists they have already agreed to take.

The Executive Committee RECOMMENDS that the State Department take Miss Armenta Adams to Dakar for performance at the Festival.

3. The USIA has suggested the use of Seven Santini Brothers, instead of the American Federation of Arts, to handle the packing, shipping, etc. of the exhibition of contemporary Negro artists. Santini Brothers is the contractual agent for the USIA in this type of work and has also submitted a lower estimate of the cost. The Executive

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Committee has informed the USIA that it agrees to the use of this company instead of the AFA. The USIA has assured the U.S. Committee that it will assume all costs and responsibilities for the exhibition and that it will send an expert to supervise the exhibition.

4. Sydney Poitier has accepted to serve on the U.S. Committee. Louis Armstrong will not be able to serve because of previous commitments. Harry Belafonte is understood to be reluctant to take part. A revised list of Committee members will be issued in the near future.

## II. Press Conference

Suggested news releases announcing the Festival and participation in it by both governmental and private agencies were read and generally approved. It is thought that the site of the press conference will be either in the U.S. Mission to the U.N. or in the United Nations on the request of the Senegalese Mission.

Possible dates for the press conference are either Monday, April 12 or Tuesday, April 13, between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The conference will be held under the auspices of Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson, who has accepted to serve as Honorary Chairman of the U.S. Committee. If the Ambassador is not able to be present, his statement will be read to the press.

President Senghor will be asked to prepare a statement for the U.S. Committee; hopefully it will be read at the press conference by the Senegalese Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Delgado agreed to pursue this matter.

The formal announcement of the Festival should be limited to statements from President Senghor, Ambassador Stevenson, the Chairman and the Co-Chairman. Committee chairmen should have statements prepared in the event that the press asks for them, and it is advised that these statements be enthusiastic and informative but vague as to specific details, as these are to be used for future releases.

- 3 -

It will be stressed at the press conference that the financial needs of the Committee ($600,000) are to be raised privately, and that the U.S. Committee has less than a year in which to raise this amount. Any amount over and above the Committee's needs will be used toward the Cité des Arts to be built in Dakar. Hopefully IBM World Trade Corporation will be announced as the first major contributor to the Committee's efforts.

It is suggested that examples of American Negro art or traditional or contemporary African art can be displayed at the site of the press conference for use in press photographs.

### III. Special Fund at AMSAC

After discussion with its attorneys and Board of Directors, AMSAC has agreed that all monies for the Festival may be cleared through its organization. The Executive Committee RESOLVED that this special fund be set up at AMSAC, that Mr. Calvin Raullerson, Executive Director of AMSAC, be made custodian of the fund, and that he work with Mr. Manning Gurion, General Manager of the Festival, in this connection.

### IV. U.S. Committee Membership in AMSAC

All people participating in reduced cost charter flights must be members for six months of an organization which has existed for at least one year. In view of this it is suggested that all members of the U.S. Committee become members of AMSAC. There are no group memberships in AMSAC; individual memberships are $8.00 per year. Cost of membership for the artists will be absorbed by the U.S. Committee. Membership should be complete by the end of August and work toward this should begin in the near future. AMSAC will provide membership applications to be sent out to members of the Committee.

The Executive Committee RESOLVED that all members of the United States Committee and all artists expected to perform in the Festival become members in good standing of the American Society of African Culture.

Artists' memberships in groups such as the "Four As" should be explored as to whether this qualifies them for charter flights in a mixed group with AMSAC members.

- 4 -

## V. Budget

Unless otherwise determined, each of the performing arts units will have its own company manager and stage manager: all will be funneled through the general manager, Mr. Gurion, who will be responsible for economics, logistics, contracts, etc. Overlap of technicians, etc. in all groups will be eliminated as much as possible. Although the hiring of technicians should be delayed for a while, Charles Blackwell is suggested as both stage manager and electrician for the dance group.

Allowing for all items and 20% error, a budget of $600,000 is recommended for the private participation in the Festival. The Executive Committee RESOLVED that the budget of $600,000, as adapted and submitted by Mr. Gurion, be approved.

## VI. Festival Performances and Rights

1. In addition to the necessary prestige performance of each unit at the Festival, it is vital that at least one public performance of each be given in a large place with low prices. Time slots should be plotted, in conjunction with the Department of State, and submitted to the Festival Association in Dakar as soon as possible.

2. President Senghor has written the Chairman that Senegal wishes to reserve exclusive rights to all performances, recordings, films, television, tapes, etc. given or made at the Festival. The United States can not agree to this in fact, and it is suggested that a subsidy agreement be made with the Senegalese Festival Association limiting the use of any recordings, film, etc. of the performances, and assuring full and continuing compensation for American artists. All protection must be given against the filming or recording by other nations of American performances, especially in view of possible contracts to be made with American corporations for television and other coverage.

Fees for legal counsel are included in the approved budget, and the Executive Committee RECOMMENDS that legal advice be obtained for the Committee and that these matters be discussed in depth.

## VII. Literary Arts Committee Report

1. The ten $100 honorable mention awards for fiction have been omitted, and the amounts of the awards adjusted

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to $3,500, $2,500 and $1,500. Judges of the fiction
will be members of the Literary Committee, and will in-
clude Saunders Redding and Langston Hughes. Final date
for submission of manuscripts is December 31, 1965. The
Senegalese government is also awarding a prize for the
best work of fiction submitted at the Festival.

2. The book to be compiled from essays on the Negro in American literature, both as a subject of literature and the creator of it, should be structured before the papers are presented in Dakar. Information as to the number and subjects of the colloquiums is still incomplete.

3. It is suggested that American Negro poets read from their works at the Festival.

4. Mrs. Augusta Baker, Co-Ordinator of Children's Activities, Donnell Library Center, has agreed to compile a bibliography of books to be exhibited at the Festival, and has refused to accept a fee for this valuable contribution. Mrs. Baker is to be invited to become a member of the Committee.

5. Langston Hughes is continuing his exploration of the possibilities of a rare book exhibition at the Festival. Cost of insurance, packing, shipping, preparation and protection of the exhibition would have to be included in the budget

VIII. Miscellaneous Items

1. During the period of the Festival, the Institute of International Education hopes to announce in Dakar that it will give grants to two African choreographers for a year's study in the United States.

2. It is thought that the noted Africanist, Dr. St. Clair Drake, will be the specialist to be invited by the State Department to attend the Festival.

3. The official Senegalese list of countries participating in the Festival is expected to be announced in early June.

4. It is important that a special meeting of the Music Committee be held in the immediate future to recommend a definite program for classical performances.

5. The next meeting of the full United States Committee will not be held until after the date of the forthcoming press conference.

* * * *

NOTE: The press conference has been postponed until after Easter.

MINUTES of Meeting of the United States Committee for the First World Festival of Negro Arts, held Friday, November 6, 1964, at 3:00 o'clock p.m., 8th floor, Time-Life Building, 1271 Avenue of the Americas

Attending were -

Dr. John A. Davis
Co-Chairman

Miss Sue Pimsler, representing Alvin Ailey
Miss Osceola Archer
Dick Campbell
Miss Vinette Carroll
Miss Carmen deLavallade
Leonard dePaur
Herbert Hill
Miss Nora Holt
Dr. Warner Lawson

as observers:

Norman Harris, for John Bradley

Henry Lee Munson

Mr. Charles Delgado, Deputy
Chief of Mission, Senegalese
Mission to the United Nations

Miss Woods, representing

Dr. Thomas Patrick Melady

Arthur Mitchell

Frederick O'Neal

Brock Peters

Dr. James Porter

Dr. Marshall Stearns

Mrs. Lawrence Copley Thaw

Larney Goodkind, representing

William Warfield

Professor Hale Woodruff

The Chairman, Mrs. Inness-Brown, called the meeting to order at 3:20 p.m., with thanks to those present for serving on the Committee.

Mrs. Inness-Brown reviewed the status to date of the Festival, including State Department and USIA programs, and outlined the constitution of the United States Committee. She stated that the Committee is to co-ordinate the programs of the State Department and the USIA and that the White House, as well as private interests, was involved. The U.S. Committee has been asked by the State Department to recommend four specialists to be sent to Dakar. The Chairman stated that this work has been undertaken at the request of the Senegalese government, and that they had asked her to head the Committee. Mrs. Inness-Brown accepted this request, and stated that she hopes for great progress.

Mrs. Inness-Brown stated that the program of the State Department encompassed two things--a choral group and a jazz group.

- two -

The State Department has recommended that an academic jazz group be sent to Dakar; however, the Committee objects to this on the grounds that a professional jazz group would be much more representational of the United States.

The Chairman read the list of names of those on the Music Committee -

<table><tr><td>Dr. Warner Lawson, Chairman</td><td>Professor Sterling A. Brown</td></tr><tr><td>Leonard dePaur, Co-Chairman</td><td>Professor Willis James</td></tr><tr><td>Harry Belafonte, Co-Chairman</td><td>Hall Johnson</td></tr><tr><td>William Warfield, Co-Chairman</td><td>Leontyne Price</td></tr><tr><td>Duke Ellington, Co-Chairman</td><td>Donald Shirley</td></tr><tr><td>Martina Arroyo</td><td>Dr. Mark Shubart</td></tr><tr><td>Louis Armstrong</td><td>Dr. Marshall W. Stearns</td></tr></table>

The name of Miss Nora Holt was added to the Music Committee. Dr. Warner Lawson accepted the chairmanship of this committee and complimented the Chairman on the makeup of the committee.

A general discussion followed on the State Department's decision to send an academic jazz group to Dakar. Mrs. Inness-Brown stated that the African Desk, headed by Mr. Roland Jacobs, was opposed to the idea, and Dr. Lawson added that the decision had been reached rather reluctantly, but that since this was already on the books it would be difficult to change. Dr. Davis pointed out that President Senghor had specifically requested a jazz group, and it was explained by Dr. Lawson that the group would be selected as the winner of a college jazz festival. Mr. O'Neal said that this would be good only if the group were going to perform at a university in Africa, and that he certainly thought that the jazz group sent to the Dakar Festival should be a professional one. Dr. Stearns agreed with Mr. O'Neal.

At the suggestion of the Chairman, a motion was made, seconded and unanimously carried -

That the Committee inform the State Department of its disapproval of sending an academic jazz group to Dakar, with the suggestion that a professional jazz group be sent instead.

The Chairman stated that a chorus will be sent to Dakar as part of the State Department's program. The State Department will also pick up a noted soloist touring in Europe at the time and present him in Dakar.

The Chairman outlined the program planned by the USIA, and noted that the Visual Arts Committee was progressing very well in the planning of the fine arts exhibition to be sent by the USIA. Those serving on the Visual Arts Committee were listed, being -

- five -

<table><tr><td>Dr. Leo Hansberry</td><td>-</td><td>Ethnologist, social anthropologist</td></tr><tr><td>Dr. Sinclair Drake</td><td>-</td><td>Social anthropologist, Roosevelt College, Chicago</td></tr></table>

Dr. Lawson suggested Chancellor Williams of Harvard, adding that Dr. Williams is an excellent speaker.

Professor Woodruff suggested Dr. Joseph Newton Hill, professor of English and a specialist in African art; he said that Dr. Hill has great insight into African affairs and called him a profound thinker. Dr. Hill is with the African-American Institute and is presently in Lagos.

Dr. Davis stated that the main problem in choosing the man to be sent is that the U.S. Committee does not yet know what type of colloquiums are being held, and how they are to be developed, and that this question needs to be settled before the Committee decides.

Dr. Lawson suggested that the name of Dr. Steven Wright, president of Fisk University, be added to the U.S. Committee, as Dr. Wright has shown great interest in the Festival and American participation.

Dr. Davis reviewed for the meeting the possible program to be supported privately under the U.S. Committee. Dr. Davis stated that there were major questions to be explored concerning the amount of space available at the Festival for American participation in films, shows, lectures, plays and whether the required time slots were overcrowded.

It is expected that there will be an open-air program in front of the cathedral. From the program from Dakar there is clearly a need to send a choir, individual soloists, a jazz band and individual jazz performers, as well as dance groups. Dr. Davis said that, in addition to a dance group, it might be a good idea to do a geographical and historical review of Negro-inspired dances in the Western hemisphere; he suggested that Arthur Mitchell and members of his dance committee work this out. Mr. Mitchell suggested the consideration of Louis Minms' satirical history of American dance.

Dr. Davis said that in sending a large band (e.g. Ellington) to Dakar, the audience may have some difficulty relating itself to this essentially formal medium. For a cross-cultural audience it is recommended that individual performers be sent, in addition to the more formal jazz group, in order to appeal in a warm, personal fashion to the audience. He gave as examples performers such as Oscar Peterson, Lena Horne, Stan Getz, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie.

- six -

In the following discussion Dr. Stearns said that drums are always very successful and that he thought that Afro-Cuban music would be a sensation in Dakar. Mr. Campbell said that he had toured such a group, including Herbie Mann, Doc Cheatam and Cozie Cole, through Africa and that Cole was extremely successful; Dr. Stearns pointed out that this was a hybrid group.

Dr. Stearns also suggested Cole & Atkins, tap dancers, as an African-influenced dance. He said that he is preparing a Cole & Atkins performance to be given at the United Nations on Tuesday, December 1, 1964, sponsored by the United Nations Jazz Group as a benefit for their library, and offered to obtain tickets for Committee members who are interested in attending.

Mrs. Inness-Brown said that we should make every attempt to comply with President Senghor's request that we show an overall view of all the arts, including both classical and folkloric, adding that we should take care not to swamp the contributions of the other participating nations--France, Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, Trinidad, possibly England and Belgium, as well as some sixteen African countries. Dr. Davis said that tapes and motion pictures of the dances sent to the Festival should be considered.

In answer to the Chairman's question, Mr. Delgado said that there has been no news regarding the Festival since President Senghor's visit to the United States. He said that Senegal is waiting for the report of the first meeting of the U.S. Committee before making any comment.

Mr. dePaur was asked if he had a soloist who could perform the spirituals to be sung in front of the cathedral on Christmas Night; he replied that while he certainly had the voices, he was under the impression that someone of the stature of Marian Anderson, Leontyne Price or William Warfield is needed to do this. Mr. dePaur agreed that the soloist should appear on the same program as his chorus and it was suggested that he and Dr. Lawson explore this. Mrs. Inness-Brown stated that it is necessary to have a great American presence as a soloist at the Festival, regardless of who is singing in Europe at the time, and that the U.S. Committee would probably sponsor this since the four specialists to be sent by the State Department may not be sufficient.

Mr. Mitchell, chairman of the Dance Committee, suggested the formation of a group of fifteen or sixteen excellent dancers who would perform the best works of each of the various choreographers under consideration, thus covering every aspect of American dance. He said that this would settle the question

- seven -

of which troup to send to Dakar, and also that it would save
much time and money. In reply to Miss Pimsler's questions,
Mr. Mitchell stated that he was aware that this would involve
at least six weeks' rehearsal, that it would be necessary to
have all choreographers concerned in New York at the same time,
and that the dancers would have to leave the troup with which
they were connected; he said that all of these problems could
be solved successfully. The Chairman asked that Mr. Mitchell
and Miss Pimsler work together on this and present a tentative
program to the Committee so that budgets may be formulated.
Mr. Campbell stated that he thought Mr. Mitchell's suggestion
was a splendid idea. Given as examples of the types of dances
to be performed were, among others, Alvin Ailey's "Revelation"
and Katherine Dunham's "Barrelhouse."

The Chairman stated that a recommendation should be made to
the USIA that it make tapes, films and records of performances
sent to Dakar, for use afterwards in the United States. Mr.
O'Neal pointed out that the unions would have to be considered
in showing this material in the States, and that it would prob-
ably have to be used for non-profit purposes. After discussion,
on motion made by Mrs. Thaw and seconded by Dr. Davis, a resolu-
tion was unanimously carried -

That the USIA be asked to use its good offices to
obtain tapes, films and records of America's contri-
bution to the Festival, and that the U.S. Committee,
or its successor, attempt to utilize this material
for presentation in the United States after comple-
tion of the Festival in Dakar.

In answer to Mr. Goodkind's question as to whether any classical
music is to be performed in Dakar, Dr. Davis replied that the
soloist picked up by the State Department in Europe would prob-
ably be a classical artist. Mr. Hill suggested the inclusion
of works by American Negro composers; Mr. dePaur said that
perhaps someone like William Warfield could perform the works
of these composers. Dr. Davis stated that the Music Committee
should pin down these questions of individual performers and
small groups to be sent, at the same time keeping in mind the
physical and economical problems, and remembering that the State
Department will be sending a large band.

Mr. Delgado said that the Central Planning Committee for the
Dakar Festival was very flexible in the programming of each
nation, and that there was enough room to allow for additions
and substitutions. As an example, he pointed out that it is
planned to have a day for each nation. Mr. Delgado briefly
described the progress being made toward completion of Festival
facilities. Mr. dePaur asked if there are to be repeats of

- eight -

performances in different locations; Dr. Davis stated that it
is very necessary to formulate an overall idea of what is to
be sent to Dakar, along with an outline of the equipment, space,
time, etc. needed to present these performances, and send this
information to Senegal for confirmation.

In a discussion of theatrical contributions, the Chairman stated
that it is hoped that "Black Nativity", directed by Vinette
Carroll, could be sent, and requested that Miss Carroll give
the Committee information as to budgets, the number of actors
and technicians necessary, etc. in order to make presentations
to foundations. The Chairman said that we wanted as many
American presences as possible in Dakar, and that it had been
suggested that the Theatre Committee consider the possibility
of presenting Baldwin's "Amen Corner." In answer to a question
from Mr. O'Neal, Mrs. Inness-Brown replied that President
Senghor had expressed great interest in "Black Nativity." Dr.
Davis suggested that the play be translated into French; Miss
Carroll said she thought that a great part of the beauty of
"Black Nativity" was its American language. Mrs. Inness-Brown
said that such translations had been unsuccessful more often
than not, and Mrs. Thaw suggested that the plays be performed
in their original language and that a comprehensive synopsis
of such plays be printed in the required languages.

A competition in books, records and films will be held in Dakar, with a gold medal to be presented to the winners by the Coca-Cola Company.

Miss Archer asked if the Committee thought that "Lilies of the Field" was truely representational of "Negro" films, and it was agreed that the question of films to be sent should be further explored.

Mr. Mitchell asked if there is to be a general manager for
United States participation in the Festival; the Chairman
replied affirmatively and suggested Miss Gertrude Macy or Mr.
Dick Campbell, and asked for further recommendations in case
either would be unable to serve.

Mr. Campbell pointed out the difference between a general
manager, who handles administration, the moving of the troupes,
funds for the performers, schedules, etc., and a stage manager,
who works directly with the performers, is involved with their
performances and is responsible to the general manager. Dr.
Davis said that both are needed, that the stage manager should
have worked in Africa before if possible, and that both should
have at least some French. The Chairman assured the Committee
that the budget will include funds for a general manager,
company manager and all technicians required for professional

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performances of high quality. She added that Mr. O'Neal is extremely well-informed on this subject and that the Committee welcomes his ideas and help.

Mr. Delgado asked if the U.S. Committee plans to send technical experts to Dakar prior to the sending of the artists, to which the Chairman replied that she had been asked to come to Dakar this December, and that certainly someone should go before the beginning of the Festival to ascertain first hand the available facilities.

The Chairman stated that the names and addresses of members of the U.S. Committee will be sent to all; that the individual committees now appointed should meet and the chairmen should submit written reports of these meetings to her and Dr. Davis before the next general meeting (in December). The Chairman stated that the Executive Committee co-ordinates all activity for American participation in the Festival and acts as the co-ordinating factor between the committees and the White House, the State Department, the USIA, private groups, and the government of Senegal. The Chairman stressed the vital importance of maintaining direct contact with her and Dr. Davis in all matters relating to meetings, reports, contacts, and informing the Chairmen beforehand of meetings to be called.

Dr. Woodruff, co-chairman of the Visual Arts Committee, outlined the progress made in their meetings, attended by Mrs. Thaw and Mrs. Inness-Brown, ex-officio, and Messrs. Woodruff, Porter, Alston and Lieberman.

There is to be an exhibition of paintings, sculpture, graphic arts and prints, presenting a cross-sectional view of the work of living American Negro artists. It was decided that it would not be feasible to try to present the historical perspective that had been suggested. Stress is to be placed on a contemporary exhibition of the highest possible quality, at the same time retaining the unique aspects of the Negro in America. Professor Woodruff stated that the works would express this Negritude, being representative of the artist's reaction to the social scene in America and his place in it, together with expressing the current international styles.

The great output of the American Negro is relatively unknown, abroad as well as in this country. The committee will make an effort to discover and bring to recognition unknown artists. The artist must be publicized and shown, and many rarely have their works publicized in reproductions or otherwise. This show is an excellent way to represent the great contribution being made to art by the American Negro.

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One-man shows had been suggested, but in view of the problems of presenting a broad spectrum of art and the amount of space available in Dakar, the committee decided against assembling such an exhibition.

Professor Woodruff said that the Committee wishes to present 75 to 85 works of approximately forty artists, which would be representative of the twenty million Negroes in America.

In making the selection of works, the committee will contact various advisors in museums, galleries and schools across the country and ask them to supply the names of great or promising Negro artists in their areas. The artists selected from these lists will be invited to submit their works to the committee by means of transparencies, from which members of the Visual Arts Committee will make the ultimate selection to be sent to the Festival. Dr. Davis asked if this sort of competition would exclude many established Negro artists from the show, to which Professor Woodruff replied that many a well-established artist has not grown in the past twenty years, but that they would invite known artists to participate in the competition.

Professor Woodruff commented on the fact that President Senghor had asked for American works in watercolor and gouache, and asked if this was due to climatic conditions, such as heat and humidity, in Dakar. Mr. Delgado said that the museum will be completely air-conditioned and that climate would present no difficulty; he added that a great many African painters work more in gouache than in oil. Professor Woodruff pointed out the difficulty in complying with President Senghor's request in view of the fact that not too many American artists work in this medium.

While acknowledging the fact that there may be a limited amount of space for the American exhibition, Dr. Porter underscored the fact that we should show some sculpture--whether fine or indifferent. He said that while African artists are noted for their sculpture, the American Negro artists have suffered from economical conditions which have prevented their going into sculpture as deeply as they might have. Dr. Porter stated that because of the objectives of the exhibition he foresees no difficulty in obtaining artists of high quality for a comprehensive exhibit.

Dr. Porter said that in 1935 the Museum of Modern Art presented the first exhibition of Negro sculpture and made photographs of every piece shown in the exhibit. He suggested that a catalogue of this type be made of the planned exhibition in Dakar, and that after the Festival it be sent to centers in Africa and elsewhere where the work of the American Negro is so little known. Professor Woodruff explained that the idea of a catalogue had been

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further developed at a meeting at Mrs. Thaw's that Dr. Porter
had missed, and that a catalogue, containing an introduction
by Charles Alston, biographical material and photographs of
the artists, as well as photographs of the complete show to
be exhibited in Dakar, is under consideration as a request to
the USIA.

Mrs. Inness-Brown asked the committee to consider the possibility
of producing a Festival Program, which would include advertising
from companies who might not otherwise contribute to the Festi-
val, and that such a program could subsequently be used to
great advantage in the United States.

Mrs. Thaw stated that Mr. Lieberman had suggested that the com-
mittee send each invited artist ten dollars with which to have
professional transparencies made of the works he will submit to
the committee.

Mrs. Thaw informed the Committee that the USIA will pay for the
framing, packing, shipping, insurance, etc. of the exhibition,
and that the American Federation of Arts will do the physical
and paper work involved, including returning the works of art
to the United States and their owners. They will also settle
any insurance claims resulting from the Festival. The AFA will
submit their cost estimate to the USIA.

Although the USIA is not planning to tour the exhibition beyond
Dakar, Mrs. Thaw asked Dr. Davis to name other places in Africa
where the exhibit might be accommodated, and asked that the
committee suggest such a tour to the USIA. Mrs. Thaw also said
that the committee hopes that this exhibition will be shown in
the United States.

Questions raised to be presented to President Songhor included
the possible space restrictions in the exhibition hall; the
number of nations participating and if all are to be exhibited
in one gallery; the amount of linear feet or meters available;
whether it is advisable, and possible, to separate black and
white works from those in color. Mr. Delgado agreed that all
of these questions must be submitted to Dakar, adding that there
would of course be some restrictions as conditions of fair com-
petition had to be maintained.

Mr. Delgado outlined the facilities available in Dakar, includ-
ing a 2,000-seat theatre, an open stadium, the museum, and the
cathedral with its large square. The Chairman stated that it
is very important that the Committee receive exact specifica-
tions of performance space and technical facilities as soon as
possible.

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The Chairman requested the committee chairmen to prepare their questions and send them to her for presentation to President Senghor.

Upon request, Dr. Stearns became a member of the Dance Committee.

The Chairman stated that it is necessary to have the reports of the various committees before a budget can be planned, and asked that the chairmen make themselves responsible for submitting ideas. The Chairman will find out about the facilities and time allowed in Dakar, and will draw up a budget for administration. A notification of their election to chair their committee will be sent to those not here today, along with the minutes of this meeting. The next meeting of the United States Committee will be held approximately the tenth of December, so the committees only have about three weeks in which to formulate their plans.

The Chairman stated that the Mayfair Travel Agency, which provides transportation for most of the major world festivals, has agreed to cooperate with the Committee both in chartered planes and in publicity for the Festival and the artists. Mr. Delgado added that Air Afrique is opening an office in New York, and will be ready to contact the Committee to offer assistance. This company flies to twelve African nations, and makes one flight a week from New York to Dakar. The Air Afrique representative in New York is M. Gaston Bouquety, Director, North American office of Air Afrique, telephone OL 6-5800, extension 646. Mr. Campbell commented that he has used this airline many times and that he recommends it highly.

The Chairman stated that she hopes that the people of the United States will be able to see the performances and exhibitions that are sent to Dakar. She mentioned the strong possibility of having benefit presentations prior to the Festival, with Mr. Campbell adding that it could be a preview of American participation in the Festival and at the same time a tribute to the contribution of the American Negro to the arts. While agreeing with Mr. Campbell, the Chairman said the artists participating in the benefit would not necessarily be the same artists going to Dakar.

Mr. Campbell offered his assistance in getting things moving, and then offered his congratulations to President Senghor for the Festival, stating that he thought it could be the most important arts event of the century.

In closing, the Chairman thanked all members of the U.S. Committee for their great interest and enthusiastic participation. She said that the Festival can provide a glowing opportunity for a profound tribute to the Negro artist and his great achievement