Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. Records, 1924-1928

Gift, Ruth Page Foundation, 2013.

The Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. Records are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).

The Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. Records are the physical property of the Newberry Library. Copyright may belong to the authors or their legal heirs or assigns. For permission to publish or reproduce any materials from this collection, contact the Roger and Julie Baskes Department of Special Collections.

Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. Records, The Newberry Library, Chicago.

Catherine Grandgeorge, 2018.

Chicago based arts organization who presented orchestral and modern ballet performances.

Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. was formed in 1924 for the encouragement and development of music, ballet, stage design, and allied arts in Chicago. Founders included John Alden Carpenter, Anna Hamill Monroe, George F. Porter, Arthur T. Aldis, and Marjorie Robbins Goodman. The organization brought together Eric De Lamarter’s Solo Orchestra and Adolph Bolm’s Ballet Intime for a series of programs funded through the guarantees of individual sponsors.

The first program took place at the Eighth Street Theatre on November 27, 1924. Russian-born scenic designer Nicolas Remisoff created the front curtain, costumes, and sets for the entire first production, as well as the group’s logo. Programs followed a similar structure, beginning with musical compositions under the direction of Eric De Lamarter, followed by ballets conceived and staged by Adolph Bolm. The orchestral concerts presented the works of John Alden Carpenter, Leo Sowerby, Darius Milhaud, Igor Stravinsky, Arnold Schonberg, and many others. Mina Hager performed as soloist for several of the programs. The ballet and dance performances featured Ruth Page as principal dancer, with guest artists including ballerina Tamara Karsavina and flamenco dancer Maria Montero. Additional programs were produced in 1925 and 1926, including a special performance for the visiting Queen Marie of Romania on November 14, 1926. Plans for additional programs in 1927 were developed but never materialized, and the organization disbanded by 1928.

Correspondence, administrative files, financial records, and performance information kept by Thomas Hart Fisher, secretary for the Chicago Allied Arts, Inc. Business correspondence and season planning materials along with performance specific items provide an incomplete record of the programs put on by the organization between 1924 and 1926. Guarantor correspondence includes many form letters to those who financially supported the organization, including members of the McCormick, Ryerson, and Goodman families. For Chicago Allied Arts performance programs, see the Ruth Page Papers (Dance MS Page).

Materials are arranged alphabetically with miscellaneous at the end.

• Names
  • Adolph Bolm Ballet.
  • Bolm, Adolph, 1884-1951
  • Carpenter, John Alden, 1876-1951
  • Chicago Allied Arts, Inc..
  • De Lamarter, Eric, 1880-1953
  • Fisher, Thomas Hart
  • Page, Ruth, 1899-1991
  • Peabody, Augustus S.
  • Remisoff, Nicolas
  • Stevens, Thomas Wood, 1880-1942
• Subject
  • Business
  • Chicago
  • Clubs and Organizations
  • Dance
  • Manuscripts, American -- Illinois -- Chicago
  • Music
  • Performing arts sponsorship -- Illinois -- Chicago
• Geographic CoverageChicago (Ill.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century