The Robbins Center Collection includes posters advertizing the Museum of African Art (now the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution) and its exhibits, exhibit brochures, a watercolor painting and photographs by Eliot Elisofon, and museum signage.
Scope and Contents:
The Robbins Center Collection includes posters advertizing the Museum of African Art (now the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution) and its exhibits, exhibit brochures, a watercolor painting and photographs by Eliot Elisofon, and museum signage. The exhibition posters include those for Icons, Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa (1989-1990), Art of Henry O. Tanner (Frederick Douglass House, 1969), African Weaving and Traditional Dress (1975), Black Heritage (circa 1971), Tribute to Africa, and The Language of African Art (1970).
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in one series.
Biographical / Historical:
The Robbins Center (originally called Center for Cross Cultural Communication) was established in 1962 by Warren Robbins and is located in Washington, D.C. Serving as an educational institute integrating, popularizing and utilizing the insights and perspectives of the social sciences and the arts to foster international and interracial understanding as well as communication between the academic world and a broader public audience. One of first major projects of the CCCC was the creation in 1964 of the Museum of African Art (MAA).
The museum was originally located in the Washington, DC residence of Frederick Douglass and became part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979 and was later renamed the National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) in 1981. During the 15 years that the MAA was in operation, the CCCC operated under the Museum's name. Following the Museum's inclusion as part of the Smithsonian, it reverted back to its original corporate name with the inclusion of Robbins' name in the title to become the Robbins Center for Cross-Cultural Communication. From 1964 to 1982, Robbins was the Director of the MAA, later becoming the Founding Director Emeritus and Senior Scholar from 1982-1995. After leaving the Smithsonian, Robbins continued his work at the Robbins Center for Cross Cultural Communications to apply the perspectives and insights of the social sciences and the arts in public education with particular emphasis on interracial understanding. Robbins passed away on December 4, 2008.
Provenance:
Donated by Lydia Robbins, Robbins Center, in 2015.
Restrictions:
Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.
Rights:
Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
