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Kent/Blossom Arts Programs records

Special Collections and Archives

Kent/Blossom Arts Programs records

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Special Collections and Archives

Kent/Blossom Arts Programs records

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  • Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
  • Title: Kent/Blossom Arts Programs records
  • Inclusive Date(s): 1960-2018
  • Bulk Date(s): 1970-2000
  • Author: Finding aid prepared by Lae'l Hughes-Watkins, Stephanie Tulley, and Philip Shackelford
  • Creation: Finding aid encoded by Philip Shackelford using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2013
  • Origination: Kent/Blossom Arts Programs
  • Extent: 5 cubic feet (five records storage boxes)
  • Physical Location: 10th floor
  • Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0152
  • Abstract: This collection contains historical documents, promotional materials, and photographs regarding the Kent/Blossom Arts Programs of the Kent State University College of the Arts.
  • Revision(s):
  • June 2022 - Additions and Revisions by Anita Clary
  • Language(s): The records are in English

History of Kent/Blossom Arts Programs

Since the inauguration of Blossom Music Center as the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra in 1968, Kent State University has participated in helping to develop its role as a center for professional training in the visual and performing arts. Advanced training programs in art and music were established in 1968, and a similar program was begun in theater the following year. The three Kent/Blossom Arts Programs divide their time between the university's home campus in Kent, Ohio, and special performing/presentation facilities at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. In 1971, Porthouse Theatre was opened on university property adjacent to the Blossom Music Center grounds, and in 1975, Eels Art Gallery was constructed by the university near the center's main gate. Each summer, the Kent/Blossom Arts Programs bring together some 200 young professionals in art, music, and theatre, and a resident faculty of seventy, which include Kent State faculty, members of The Cleveland Orchestra, and major international visual artists.

Scope and Content

The materials in this collection represent a historical snapshot of the creation and subsequent operation of the Kent/Blossom Arts Programs, including the Blossom Music Center, and includes correspondence, financial reports, an oral history on the program's history, performance programs, planning files, press releases and other promotional materials, and photographs.

Statement of Arrangement

This collection is arranged into the following series: Administrative Files, Oral History, Photographs, Planning and Development, Programs, Promotional Materials, and Subject Files. The files are arranged alphabetically and then chronologically within each series.

Preferred Citation

Kent/Blossom Arts Programs records. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

  • Subjects:
  • Kent/Blossom Arts Programs -- Archives
  • Kent/Blossom Music (Festival) -- Archives
  • Kent/Blossom Art -- Archives
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre -- Archives
  • Arts -- Ohio -- Management
  • Music -- Instruction and study -- Ohio
  • Art -- Study and teaching -- Ohio
  • Theater -- Study and teaching -- Ohio
  • Organizations/Corporations:
  • Kent State University. Porthouse Theatre
  • Kent State University. College of the Arts
  • Blossom Music Center
  • Cleveland Orchestra
  • Kent State University. School of Art
  • Kent State University. School of Art. Galleries
  • Kent State University. School of Art. Eels Art Gallery
  • Kent/Blossom Music (Festival)
  • Kent/Blossom Art
  • Blossom Festival School (Music festival)
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre
  • Functions:
  • Arts --Management
  • Places:
  • Kent (Ohio)
  • Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio)
  • Occupations:
  • Arts administrators
  • Material Types:
  • Correspondence
  • Reports
  • Programs
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Photographs
  • Posters
  • Fliers
  • Publications
  • Business records
  • Architectural drawings (visual works)
  • Blueprints
  • Financial records
  • Oral histories (document genres)
  • Press releases
  • Promotional materials



Detailed Description of the Collection

Administrative Files, 1967-2000
  • Box 1 / Folder 1
  • Annual Report Data, 1985
  • Box 1 / Folder 2
  • Annual Report Data, 1986
  • Box 1 / Folder 3
  • Annual Report Data, 1988
  • Box 1 / Folder 4
  • Annual Report Data, 1990
  • Box 1 / Folder 5
  • Annual Report Data, 1991-1992
  • Box 1 / Folder 6
  • Annual Report Data, 1993-1994
  • Box 1 / Folder 7
  • Annual Report Data, 1994-1995
  • Box 1 / Folder 8
  • Annual Report Data, 1995-1996
  • Box 1 / Folder 9
  • Annual Report Data, 1997
  • Box 1 / Folder 10
  • Annual Report Data, 1998
  • Box 1 / Folder 11
  • Annual Report Data, 1999
  • Box 1 / Folder 12
  • Blossom Administrative Pay Reclassification, 1993
  • Box 1 / Folder 13
  • GAR Foundation Funding, 1984
  • Box 1 / Folder 14
  • George Gund Foundation Request, 1984-1985
  • Box 1 / Folder 15
  • Joint Committee Musical Arts Association, 1967-1975
  • Box 1 / Folder 16
  • Kent/Blossom Administrative Correspondence, 1967-1979
  • Box 1 / Folder 17
  • Kent/Blossom Administrative Correspondence, 1982-1986
  • Box 1 / Folder 18
  • Kent/Blossom Administrative Correspondence, 2000
  • Box 1 / Folder 19
  • Kent/Blossom Advisory Board, 1967-1976
  • Box 1 / Folder 20
  • Kent/Blossom Advisory Board, 1978-1979
  • Box 1 / Folder 21
  • Kent/Blossom Advisory Board, 1980-1981
  • Box 1 / Folder 22
  • Kent/Blossom Art Budget, 1986
  • Box 1 / Folder 23
  • Kent/Blossom Challenge Campaign, 1982
  • Box 1 / Folder 24
  • Kent/Blossom Expense Comparison, 1980
  • Box 1 / Folder 25
  • Kent/Blossom Funding, 1972-1989
  • Box 1 / Folder 26
  • Kent/Blossom General Statistics, 1985-1987
  • Box 1 / Folder 27
  • Kent/Blossom General Statistics, 1988
  • Box 1 / Folder 28
  • Kent/Blossom Mission Statement, 1980
  • Box 1 / Folder 29
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 1979-1985
  • Box 1 / Folder 30
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 1985-1988
  • Box 1 / Folder 31
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 1992-1995
  • Box 1 / Folder 32
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 1995
  • Box 1 / Folder 33
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 1998
  • Box 1 / Folder 34
  • Kent/Blossom Music Budget, 2000
  • Box 1 / Folder 35
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Budget, 1986
  • Box 1 / Folder 36
  • Kent State Foundation Funding Request, 1992-1993
  • Box 1 / Folder 37
  • KSU/Cleveland Orchestra Joint Funding, 1986

Oral History, 1984-1985
  • Scope and Content
  • This series includes an audio recording and a transcript of that recording, in which Harold Kitner expresses his concern over missing documents and potential gaps in the historical record of Kent/Blossom origins. He then proceeds to outline the history of the Kent/Blossom Arts Program in monologue.
  • Box 1 / Folder 34
  • Origin of the Blossom Festival School: transcript, 1985
  • Box 1 / Folder 35
  • Origin of the Blossom Festival School: audio recording, 1984
  • Physical Description: Audio Cassette

Photographs, 1966-1968
  • Box 2 / Folder 1
  • Blossom Center Construction, 1966-1968
  • Box 2 / Folder 2
  • Blossom Music Center Plans with President White, Frank Joseph, and George Sezel, undated
  • Box 2 / Folder 3
  • Blossom Festival School, undated
  • Box 2 / Folder 4
  • Blossom Music Center, undated
  • Box 2 / Folder 5
  • Kent/Blossom Music Photographs, undated
  • Box 2 / Folder 6
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Photographs, undated

Planning and Development, 1960-2000
  • Scope and Content
  • This series contains information about the initial funding, development, and construction of the Blossom Music center, as well as subsequent development of the Kent/Blossom Arts Program.
  • Box 2 / Folder 7
  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park Trail Plans and Environmental Assessment, 1986
  • Box 2 / Folder 8
  • Kent/Blossom Arts Program Development, 1979-1984
  • Box 2 / Folder 9
  • Kent/Blossom Background, 1960-1980
  • Box 2 / Folder 10
  • Kent/Blossom Blueprints: Access Road Plans, 1968
  • Physical Description: Oversized blueprints
  • Box 2 / Folder 11
  • Kent/Blossom Blueprints: Building Plans, 1969-1974
  • Physical Description: Oversized blueprints
  • Box 2 / Folder 12
  • Kent/Blossom Blueprints: Land Surveys, 1967-1970
  • Physical Description: Oversized blueprints
  • Box 2 / Folder 13
  • Kent/Blossom Blueprints: Sewer and Water Plans, 1970
  • Physical Description: Oversized blueprints
  • Box 2 / Folder 14
  • Kent/Blossom Blueprints: Site Plans, 1964-1970
  • Physical Description: Oversized blueprints
  • Box 2 / Folder 15
  • Kent/Blossom Land Acquisition, 1986-1987
  • Box 2 / Folder 16
  • Kent/Blossom Music Center Northampton Land Agreement, 1967-1980
  • Box 2 / Folder 17
  • Kent/Blossom Operations, undated
  • Box 2 / Folder 18
  • Kent/Blossom School Overview and Design, 1968-1985
  • Box 2 / Folder 19
  • Kent/Blossom Site Plans, 1967
  • Box 2 / Folder 20
  • National Endowment for the Arts, 1980-1987
  • Scope and Content
  • Correspondence and information regarding consideration of support for the Music Professional Training Program.
  • Box 2 / Folder 21
  • National Endowment for the Arts, 1993-1994
  • Scope and Content
  • Seeks support for Kent/Blossom Music student chamber ensembles
  • Box 2 / Folder 22
  • Northampton Township Property, 1980
  • Box 2 / Folder 23
  • Ohio Arts Council Grant Proposal, 1984
  • Scope and Content
  • Materials regarding grant proposal for the Blossom Festival School - Theatre.

Programs, 1970-2002
  • Box 3 / Folder 1
  • Kent/Blossom Art Exhibition, 1970, 1977
  • Box 3 / Folder 2
  • Kent/Blossom Art Exhibition, 1985
  • Box 3 / Folder 3
  • Kent/Blossom Art Exhibition, 1986
  • Box 3 / Folder 4
  • Kent/Blossom Art Exhibition, 1987
  • Box 3 / Folder 5
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1976
  • Box 3 / Folder 6
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1978
  • Box 3 / Folder 7
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1979
  • Box 3 / Folder 8
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1980
  • Box 3 / Folder 9
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1981
  • Box 3 / Folder 10
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1982
  • Box 3 / Folder 11
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1983
  • Box 3 / Folder 12
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1984
  • Box 3 / Folder 13
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1985
  • Box 3 / Folder 14
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1986
  • Box 3 / Folder 15
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1987
  • Box 3 / Folder 16
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1988
  • Box 3 / Folder 17
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1989
  • Box 3 / Folder 18
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1990
  • Box 3 / Folder 19
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1991
  • Box 3 / Folder 20
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1992
  • Box 3 / Folder 21
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1993
  • Box 3 / Folder 22
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1994
  • Box 3 / Folder 23
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1996
  • Box 3 / Folder 24
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1997
  • Box 3 / Folder 25
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1998
  • Box 3 / Folder 26
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 1999
  • Box 3 / Folder 27
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 2001
  • Box 3 / Folder 28
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 2002 (Folder 1 of 2)
  • Box 3 / Folder 29
  • Kent/Blossom Music Performances, 2002 (Folder 2 of 2)
  • Box 3 / Folder 30
  • Kent/Blossom Music Festival, 2016
  • Box 3 / Folder 31
  • Kent/Blossom Pre-Concert Serenades, 1989-2001
  • Box 3 / Folder 32
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1973
  • Box 3 / Folder 33
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1974
  • Box 3 / Folder 34
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1976
  • Box 3 / Folder 35
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1982
  • Box 3 / Folder 36
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1983
  • Box 3 / Folder 37
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1984
  • Box 3 / Folder 38
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1985
  • Box 3 / Folder 39
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1986
  • Box 3 / Folder 40
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, 1987
  • Box 3 / Folder 41
  • Kent/Blossom Theatre Productions, undated

Promotional Materials, 1968-2011
  • Box 4 / Folder 1
  • Blossom Festival School Program Information, 1979-1984
  • Box 4 / Folder 2
  • Blossom Quarter Notes, 1981-1986
  • Box 4 / Folder 3
  • Cleveland Orchestra Promotional Programs, 1977-2002
  • Physical Description: Includes performances at Blossom Music Center
  • Box 4 / Folder 4
  • Fliers and Brochures, 1970-1979
  • Box 4 / Folder 5
  • Fliers and Brochures, 1980-1985
  • Box 4 / Folder 6
  • Fliers and Brochures, 1986-1989
  • Box 4 / Folder 7
  • Fliers and Brochures, 1990-1999
  • Box 4 / Folder 8
  • Fliers and Brochures, 2000-2009
  • Box 4 / Folder 9
  • Fliers and Brochures, 2010-2017
  • Box 4 / Folder 10
  • Fliers and Mailers, undated
  • Box 4 / Folder 11
  • Kent/Blossom Performance Calendars, 1972-1982
  • Box 4 / Folder 12
  • Kent/Blossom Performance Calendars, 1983-1990
  • Box 4 / Folder 13
  • Kent/Blossom Posters, 1970-1979
  • Box 4 / Folder 14
  • Kent/Blossom Posters, 1980-1989
  • Box 4 / Folder 15
  • Kent/Blossom Posters, 2014
  • Box 4 / Folder 16
  • Press Releases, 1977-1990
  • Box 4 / Folder 17
  • Press Releases, 1980-1986
  • Box 4 / Folder 18
  • Press Releases, 1991
  • Box 4 / Folder 19
  • Promotional Programs, 1968-1973
  • Box 4 / Folder 20
  • Promotional Programs, 1975-1979
  • Box 4 / Folder 21
  • Promotional Programs, 1981-1982
  • Box 4 / Folder 22
  • Promotional Programs, 1983-1984
  • Box 4 / Folder 23
  • Promotional Programs, 1985-1986
  • Box 4 / Folder 24
  • Promotional Programs, 1989-1991
  • Box 4 / Folder 25
  • Promotional Programs, 1992-1993
  • Box 4 / Folder 26
  • Promotional Programs, 1994-1995
  • Box 4 / Folder 27
  • Promotional Programs, 1996-1997
  • Box 4 / Folder 28
  • Promotional Programs, 1998-1999
  • Box 4 / Folder 29
  • Promotional Programs, 2000-2001
  • Box 4 / Folder 30
  • Promotional Programs, 2002
  • Box 4 / Folder 31
  • Promotional Programs, 2003-2008
  • Box 4 / Folder 32
  • Promotional Programs, 2010-2011
  • Box 4 / Folder 33
  • Publicity Correspondence, 1978-1992
  • Box 4 / Folder 34
  • Public Relations Campaign, 1985
  • Box 5 / Folder 1
  • Season Press Clippings, 1968-1979
  • Box 5 / Folder 2
  • Season Press Clippings, 1980
  • Box 5 / Folder 3
  • Season Press Clippings, 1981
  • Box 5 / Folder 4
  • Season Press Clippings, 1982
  • Box 5 / Folder 5
  • Season Press Clippings, 1983
  • Box 5 / Folder 6
  • Season Press Clippings, 1984
  • Box 5 / Folder 7
  • Season Press Clippings, 1985
  • Box 5 / Folder 8
  • Season Press Clippings, 1986
  • Box 5 / Folder 9
  • Season Press Clippings, 1987
  • Box 5 / Folder 10
  • Season Press Clippings, 1988
  • Box 5 / Folder 11
  • Season Press Clippings, 1989
  • Box 5 / Folder 12
  • Season Press Clippings, 1990
  • Box 5 / Folder 13
  • Season Press Clippings, 1991
  • Box 5 / Folder 14
  • Season Press Clippings, 1992
  • Box 5 / Folder 15
  • Season Press Clippings, 1993
  • Box 5 / Folder 16
  • Season Press Clippings, 1994
  • Box 5 / Folder 17
  • Season Press Clippings, 1995
  • Box 5 / Folder 18
  • Season Press Clippings, 1996
  • Box 5 / Folder 19
  • Season Press Clippings, 1997
  • Box 5 / Folder 20
  • Season Press Clippings, 1998
  • Box 5 / Folder 21
  • Season Press Clippings, 1999
  • Box 5 / Folder 22
  • Season Press Clippings, 2000
  • Box 5 / Folder 23
  • Season Press Clippings, 2002

Subject Files, 1968-1996
  • Box 5 / Folder 24
  • Alexander String Quartet, undated
  • Box 5 / Folder 25
  • Alumni Testimonials, 1984
  • Box 5 / Folder 26
  • American String Quartet, 1986
  • Box 5 / Folder 27
  • Big Apple Chorus, undated
  • Box 5 / Folder 28
  • Blossom Women's Committee, 1985
  • Box 5 / Folder 29
  • Blossom 20th Anniversary, 1988
  • Box 5 / Folder 30
  • Cleveland Orchestra, 1981-1986
  • Box 5 / Folder 31
  • Eels Art Gallery, 1988
  • Box 5 / Folder 32
  • Emerson String Quartet, undated
  • Box 5 / Folder 33
  • Faculty Rosters, 1968-1988
  • Box 5 / Folder 34
  • Kent/Blossom Attendance, 1968-1987
  • Box 5 / Folder 35
  • Kent/Blossom 15th Anniversary, 1983
  • Box 5 / Folder 36
  • Mabou Mines, 1984
  • Box 5 / Folder 37
  • Maps, undated
  • Box 5 / Folder 38
  • Miami String Quartet, 1994-1996
  • Box 5 / Folder 39
  • Porthouse Theatre Company, 1987
  • Box 5 / Folder 40
  • Prominent Alumni, undated
  • Box 5 / Folder 41
  • Student Enrollment Information, 1983-1994
  • Box 5 / Folder 42
  • Visiting Faculty, undated