American Federation of Arts
Encyclopedia
The American Federation of Arts is an organization in the United States
of museum
s and other entities involved in the arts. It was established in 1909 at a convention held in Washington, D. C. from May 11–13 of that year called by the National Academy of Art. The concept for the organization was initially proposed by Senator and Secretary of State Elihu Root
in a speech at the convention. Founding members of the Federation included Senator Root and many other notables of the day such as Florence Nightingale Levy
, Leila Mechlin, and Francis Davis Millet
.
According to the first constitution of the Federation the organization's goals are "to unite in fellowship all institutions and organizations interested in architecture, sculpture, painting, landscape, craftsmanship, collections of art, and village and city development; to harmonize and nationalize the art interests of the country; to stimulate the love of beauty and to cultivate public taste."
The Federation has sponsored a number of different publications during its history such as American Art Directory
, Magazine of Art, and many works concerning specific topics related to art and architecture.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
of museum
Museum
A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific, artistic, cultural, or historical importance and makes them available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary. Most large museums are located in major cities...
s and other entities involved in the arts. It was established in 1909 at a convention held in Washington, D. C. from May 11–13 of that year called by the National Academy of Art. The concept for the organization was initially proposed by Senator and Secretary of State Elihu Root
Elihu Root
Elihu Root was an American lawyer and statesman and the 1912 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was the prototype of the 20th century "wise man", who shuttled between high-level government positions in Washington, D.C...
in a speech at the convention. Founding members of the Federation included Senator Root and many other notables of the day such as Florence Nightingale Levy
Florence Nightingale Levy
Florence Nightingale Levy was an American arts administrator.Levy studied art at The Louvre. In 1894, she founded the American Art Annual magazine, serving as its editor until 1918. In 1901, she catalogued the art exhibition of the Pan-American Exposition...
, Leila Mechlin, and Francis Davis Millet
Francis Davis Millet
Francis Davis Millet was an American painter, sculptor, and writer who died in the sinking of the on April 15, 1912.-Early life:Francis Davis Millet was born in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts...
.
According to the first constitution of the Federation the organization's goals are "to unite in fellowship all institutions and organizations interested in architecture, sculpture, painting, landscape, craftsmanship, collections of art, and village and city development; to harmonize and nationalize the art interests of the country; to stimulate the love of beauty and to cultivate public taste."
The Federation has sponsored a number of different publications during its history such as American Art Directory
American Art Directory
The American Art Directory is a yearly publication covering art museums, arts centers, and art educational institutions as well as news, obituaries, book and magazine publications, etc. related to the artistic community in the United States. Established in 1898, it was originally entitled American...
, Magazine of Art, and many works concerning specific topics related to art and architecture.
Members
- Thomas P. BarnettThomas P. BarnettThomas P. Barnett , also known professionally as Tom Barnett and Tom P. Barnett, was an American architect and painter from St. Louis, Missouri. Barnett was nationally recognized for both his work in architecture and in painting.-Architectural work:Barnett trained under his father, St. Louis...
- John GregoryJohn Gregory (sculptor)-Life:When he was about 12 years old his family immigrated to the United States where he began is sculptural studies at the Art Students League in New York City. He continued these at both the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and at the American Academy in Rome. At various times he studied with J...
- A. Hyatt MayorA. Hyatt MayorA. Hyatt Mayor was an American art historian and curator at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a leading figure in the study of prints, both old master prints and popular prints....
- Grace MorleyGrace MorleyDr. Grace Louise McCann Morley was a museologist of global influence. She was the founder of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and its Director for 23 years starting in 1934. Time Magazine carried an with the museum, and then another...
- Glenna Smith TinninGlenna Smith TinninGlenna Smith Tinnin was the first chairman of the Equal Franchise League. The Equal Franchise League was founded in 1914 as The Woman Suffrage Council...
- Edward Charles VolkertEdward Charles VolkertEdward Charles Volkert , was an American Impressionist artist best known for his colorful and richly painted impressionist landscapes. His trademark subject was that of cattle and plowmen. He has been referred to as America's cattle painter extraordinaire".The son of a hat merchant from Alsace,...
- Charles Howard WalkerCharles Howard WalkerCharles Howard Walker was an architect, designer and educator in Boston, Massachusetts, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was affiliated with Boston's Society of Arts and Crafts...
External links
- American Federation of Arts records, 1895-1993, (bulk 1909-1969), Finding aid in the collection of the Smithsonian Archives of American ArtArchives of American ArtThe Archives of American Art is the largest collection of primary resources documenting the history of the visual arts in the United States. More than 16 million items of original material are housed in the Archives' research centers in Washington, D.C...