Archives of American Art
Calvin Burnett papers
Burnett, Calvin, 1921-2007
AAA.burncalv
Archival Resource Key
6.1 Linear feet
1920-1979
bulk 1960s-1970s
The papers of African American graphic artist and arts educator Calvin Burnett measure 6.1 linear feet and date from 1920 to 1979, with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1960s to the 1970s. The papers contain biographical material, correspondence, writings, material related to his education and professional activities, personal business records, printed material, a scrapbook, and a small amount of photographs and artwork.
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged as nine series.
- Series 1: Biographical Material, 1947-1979 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet)
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1941-1979 (Box 1; 0.4 linear feet)
- Series 3: Writings, 1950s-1970s (Boxes 1-2; 0.9 linear feet, OV 7)
- Series 4: Education and Professional Activities, 1920-1970s (Boxes 2-5; 2.5 linear feet)
- Series 5: Personal Business Records, 1947-1979 (Box 5; 0.3 linear feet)
- Series 6: Printed Material, 1938-1979 (Boxes 5-6; 0.5 linear feet, OV 7)
- Series 7: Scrapbook, 1937-1951 (Box 6; 0.2 linear feet)
- Series 8: Photographs, 1946-1972 (Box 6; 1 folder)
- Series 9: Artwork, 1941-1942 (Box 6; 2 folders)
Biographical / Historical
Calvin Burnett (1921-2007) was an African American graphic artist, illustrator, and arts educator. He graduated from the Massachusetts School of Art (also known as MassArt; now the Massachusetts College of Art and Design) in 1942, and earned his MFA from Boston University in 1960. He later received another degree in arts education. Burnett taught at a number of institutions in the Northeast, including the DeCordova Museum and the Massachusetts School of Art, where he was the first African American to be appointed to the faculty, and where he taught for 33 years.
While on the faculty at the Massachusetts School of Art, Burnett was involved with the Black Artists Union, the Committee on Urban Education, and the Committee on Minority Affairs. Among their many functions, these groups advocated for more diverse representation in faculty and more funding for minority and disadvantaged students.
In 1966, Burnett published the book, Objective Drawing, about perspective. His interest in the subject and the idea for the book grew out of his teaching the perspective course at the Massachusetts School of Art (Oral history interview with Calvin Burnett, 1980 June 13-1981 January 6. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Transcript p.41).
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Calvin Burnett in 1990.
Preferred Citation
Calvin Burnett papers, 1920-1979, bulk 1960s-1970s. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Processing Information
This collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Rayna Andrews in 2017 with funding provided by the Henry Luce Foundation.
Related Materials
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Calvin Burnett conducted by Robert Brown, June 13, 1980-January 6, 1981.
Scope and Contents
The papers of graphic artist and arts educator Calvin Burnett measure 6.1 linear feet and date from 1920 to 1979, with the bulk of the collection dating from the 1960s to the 1970s. The papers contain biographical material, correspondence, writings, material related to his education and professional activities, personal business records, printed material, a scrapbook, and a small amount of photographs and artwork.
Biographical material consists of resumes, biographical notes/drafts, certificates from volunteer organizations, an interview transcript, and personal calendars.
Correspondence consists of letters and drafts of letters to and from Burnett. Some partial fragments of letters are housed with the undated correspondence.
Writings consist of two subseries and includes both materials related to Burnett's book, Objective Drawing, as well as notes, notecards, poetry, and some class assignments.
Education and professional activities also includes two subseries. Teaching and education files consist of materials related to Burnett's time as both a student and an instructor. These include class notes, assignments, course materials, correspondence, etc. Black Artists Union, committee work, and related materials include materials related to the Black Artists Union (BAU), the Committee on Urban Education (CUE), and the Committee on Minority Affairs, and their work. These items include memos, printed materials, reports, and other documentation.
Personal business records consist of correspondence, financial documents, printed material, and notes related to commercial art jobs, consultations, sales, loans, and exhibitions.
Photographs are of Burnett, other individuals, and works of art. Not all of the works of art appear to be by Burnett.
Artwork includes drawings and three small sketchbooks.
Conditions Governing Use
Authorization to publish, quote or reproduce requires written permission from Calvin Burnett or his heirs. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Art -- Study and teaching
Drawings
Scrapbooks
Sketchbooks
African American artists
Educators -- Massachusetts
Graphic artists -- Massachusetts
Illustrators -- Massachusetts
African American educators
Biographical Material
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 1
1947-1979
Scope and Contents
Biographical material includes resumes, biographical notes and short biographies, certificates from volunteer organizations, and an interview transcript. This series also includes an extensive run of personal calendars, as well as handwritten calendars/notes of personal activities.
Biographical notes and short biographies
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
1
1
Resumes
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
1
2
Certificates from volunteer organizations
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
3
Framingham Union Hospital
Archival Resource Key
1976
1
4
Calendars
Archival Resource Key
1947-1951
1954-1956
1958-1960
1976-1979
1
5-10
Handwritten calendar of events and activities
Archival Resource Key
1959-1977
1
11
Interview transcript - "Jazz Album"
Archival Resource Key
1949
1
12
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 1
circa 1941-1979
Scope and Contents
The correspondence series consists of letters both to, and from Burnett, and also includes drafts of letters. Correspondence is primarily to and from other artists, galleries, curators, etc. and is related to Burnett's artwork. There is additional correspondence that relates to his teaching responsibilities, as well as some letters from family and friends, including cartoonist Art Wood. This series is arranged chronologically, with the undated correspondence at the end. Some fragments of letters were included with the undated correspondence. When possible, these fragments have been identified and filed appropriately. Remaining fragments are in the first (circa 1950s) undated folder.
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
1941-1979
1
13-23
Fragments and undated
Archival Resource Key
circa 1950s
1
24
Undated correspondence
Archival Resource Key
circa 1940s-1970s
1
25-26
Writings
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.9 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2, OV 7
1950s-1970s
Scope and Contents
This series includes material related to Burnett's book, Objective Drawing, as well as other writing such as class notes, notecards, and poetry.
Objective Drawing Book Project
3.1
Archival Resource Key
1958-1969
Scope and Contents
This series includes a galley proof of the book, Objective Drawing, as well as correspondence, drafts, financial papers, notes, and permissions related to its production and publication.
Correspondence and notes
Archival Resource Key
1963-1968
1
27
Correspondence and other documents
Archival Resource Key
1958-1969
1
28-29
Correspondence and notes related to promotion, sales, and expenses
Archival Resource Key
1966
1
30
Invoices and receipts
Archival Resource Key
1963-1966
1
31
Notes and drafts
Archival Resource Key
1950s-1960s
1
32
Notes for an appendix
Archival Resource Key
1960s
1
33
Notes labeled "Add & re do"
Archival Resource Key
1960s
1
34
Notes labeled "Hold revisions"
Archival Resource Key
1960s
1
35
Quotations and outline
Archival Resource Key
1960s
2
1
Letters and forms seeking permission to reproduce illustrations
Archival Resource Key
1964-1965
2
2
Permissions granted to reproduce illustrations
Archival Resource Key
1965
2
3
Permissions obtained for a fee to reproduce illustrations
Archival Resource Key
1965-1966
2
4
Permissions not used in the book
Archival Resource Key
1965-1967
2
5
Objective Drawing galley proof
Archival Resource Key
1966
OV 7
Other Writings
3.2
Archival Resource Key
1948-1970s
Scope and Contents
Other writings include class notes and assignments, notecards with research and bibliographic notes, and poetry. Researchers should note that additional class notes and assignments can be found in the teaching and education subseries of Series 4.
Paper, A proper relationship between extracurricular art activities and the curriculum is essential to the total education of the art school teacher education student
Archival Resource Key
1951
1
6
Class notes, assignments, and exercises
Archival Resource Key
1967-1968
2
7
Paper, Development and management of an audiovisual center at the Massachusetts College of Art
Archival Resource Key
1967
2
8
Paper, New facilities for instrumental and perspective drawing at the college level
Archival Resource Key
1968
2
9
School reports and assignments
Archival Resource Key
1967-1969
2
10-11
Notecards: Black art history notes
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
2
12
Notecards: Black studies bibliography
Archival Resource Key
1962-1972
2
13
Notecards: Creative bibliography
Archival Resource Key
1950s-1970s
2
14
Notecards: General etching notes from books, miscellaneous papers
Archival Resource Key
1963-1966
2
15
Notecards: Miscellaneous notes
Archival Resource Key
1962-1967
2
16
Notecards: Notes on plates, stones, and wood
Archival Resource Key
1960s
2
17-18
Notecards: Own stones at Lockwood's
Archival Resource Key
1962-1966
2
19
Notecards: Own stones test stones
Archival Resource Key
1962-1965
2
20
Notecards: Printmaking bibliography
Archival Resource Key
1962-1965
2
21
Notecards: Untitled bibliography
Archival Resource Key
1950s-1970s
2
22-24
Notecards: Untitled notecards
Archival Resource Key
1961-1966
2
25
Notecards: Untitled notes, includes publisher addresses
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
26
Assorted notes and poetry
Archival Resource Key
1948-1954
2
27
Notebook
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
28
Education and Professional Activities
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
2.5 Linear feet
Boxes 2-5
1920-1970s
Teaching and Education Files
4.1
Archival Resource Key
1.4 Linear feet
1920-1978
Scope and Contents
Teaching and education files include correspondence, notes, course materials, assignments, printed materials, and other related materials from Burnett's time as both a student, and an instructor. Burnett was already teaching when he went back to school to earn his degree in arts education. His student and teaching files are therefore intermingled. Researchers should note that additional materials related to Burnett's studies may be found in the Other Writing subseries (3.2).
Elementary and high school report cards
Archival Resource Key
1927-1938
2
29
Notes and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1967
2
30
Notes and papers written for classes
Archival Resource Key
1968
2
31
Notes, assignments, course materials, printed materials
Archival Resource Key
1968-1969
3
1
Class notes and assignments
Archival Resource Key
1969
3
2
Notes
Archival Resource Key
1969
3
3
Notes, assignments, and other course materials
Archival Resource Key
1969
3
4-5
Research notes and pull slips
Archival Resource Key
1969
3
6
Class notes, assignments, and other course materials
Archival Resource Key
1960s
3
7-20
Notes, assignments, and course materials
Archival Resource Key
1970
3
21
Assignments and course materials
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
22
Teaching notes, course materials, sketches, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1920
1959-1966
3
23
Teaching notes, course materials, material related to committee work, notes and assignments completed as a student
Archival Resource Key
1955-1974
3
24
Notecards on student work
Archival Resource Key
1962-1967
3
25-26
Materials related to AV services and teacher aids
Archival Resource Key
1964-1968
3
27
Teaching notes and course materials
Archival Resource Key
1965-1969
3
28
Teaching, class note, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1968-1969
4
1
Teaching notes and student grades
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
4
2
Reference and instructor course evaluations
Archival Resource Key
1970-1978
4
3
Class and teaching notes and printed materials
Archival Resource Key
1971-1972
4
4
Notes and materials related to committee work and library and AV resources
Archival Resource Key
1960s
4
5-6
Assignments, notes, course materials, and material related to committee work
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
4
7
Teaching notes, committee materials, printed material
Archival Resource Key
1970s
4
8
Black Artists Union, Committee Work, and Related Materials
4.2
Archival Resource Key
1.1 Linear feet
1960s-1970s
Scope and Contents
This subseries consists of correspondence, memos, notes, proposals, reports, printed material, an other materials related to the interests of Black students on the MassArt campus. Burnett was involved with the Black Artists Union (BAU), the Committee on Urban Education (CUE), and the Committee on Minority Affairs, and this subseries includes materials regarding these committees and their interaction with the school community and administration.
Laboratory seminar in the education of urban teachers
Archival Resource Key
1964-1966
4
9
Notes, memos, reports, printed material, and related materials
Archival Resource Key
1965-1970
4
10-12
Notes, memos, meeting minutes, and reports
Archival Resource Key
1968-1976
4
13-14
Correspondence, memos, notes, proposals, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1969-1973
4
15-16
Memos, meetings, reports, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1969-1974
4
17
Correspondence, memos, notes, proposals, reports, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1970-1972
4
18-19
Tutorial program proposal revisions
Archival Resource Key
1972
4
20
Notes, memos, reports, proposals, and printed materials
Archival Resource Key
1972-1976
4
21-24
Notes, printed material, reports, CUE questionnaire on minority matters, and related material
Archival Resource Key
1974-1976
4
25-26
Correspondence, notes, memos, proposals, reports, and printed material
Archival Resource Key
1960s-1970s
5
1-7
Correspondence, memos, notes, program proposals, and other related materials
Archival Resource Key
1970s
5
8-13
Personal Business Records
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.3 Linear feet
Box 5
1947-1979
Scope and Contents
Personal business records include materials related to commerical art jobs; invitations to exhibit; materials related to the sale, loan, and exhibition of works of art; notes about teaching, meetings, and exhibitions; miscellaneous items and ephemera related to Burnett's career as an artist; and a ledger of his expenses. This series also includes materials related to work Burnett did as a consultant on an MIT project to develop concepts to report the appearance of the surface of Mars.
Invitations to exhibit for non-profit groups
Archival Resource Key
1953-1972
5
14
Materials related to commercial art jobs
Archival Resource Key
1967-1969
undated
5
15-16
Materials related to the sale, loan, exhibition, receipt, etc. of works of art
Archival Resource Key
1947-1979
5
17-20
Notes about teaching, meetings, and exhibitions
Archival Resource Key
1973-1978
5
21
Materials related to consultation services for a Mars rover project
Archival Resource Key
1961-1969
5
22-24
Items related to personal business and art career
Archival Resource Key
1947-1975
5
25
Ledger of expenses
Archival Resource Key
1955-1961
5
26
Printed Material
Series 6
Archival Resource Key
0.5 Linear feet
Boxes 5-6, OV 7
1938-1979
Scope and Contents
Printed material includes music recital programs, newsletters, and bulletins, as well as assorted printed materials and a combination of materials related a specific topic - i.e. Black affairs, or the Army Combat Arts program. This series also includes exhibition announcements, exhibition catalogs, exhibition posters, and clippings.
Music recital programs
Archival Resource Key
1938-1939
undated
5
27
Boston Printmakers newsletter
Archival Resource Key
1955-1965
5
28
Army Combat Art Program - clippings, pamphlets, periodicals
Archival Resource Key
1964-1966
5
29
Clippings and printed material related to black affairs
Archival Resource Key
1966-1978
5
30
Graphic arts aids - printed material and notes
Archival Resource Key
1960s
5
31
Massachusetts College of Art bulletin
Archival Resource Key
1972
6
1
Assorted printed material
Archival Resource Key
1938-1977
undated
6
2-9
Exhibition announcements
Archival Resource Key
1942-1978
undated
6
10-13
Exhibition catalogs
Archival Resource Key
1940-1979
undated
6
14-18
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1942-1951
1955-1977
undated
6
19-22
Oversized exhibition posters
Archival Resource Key
1964
1972
OV 7
Scrapbook
Series 7
Archival Resource Key
0.5 Linear feet
1937-1951
Scope and Contents
The scrapbook in this collection has been disbound, but the original cover appear at the beginning of the series. The contents have remained in the order in which they were received. The scrapbook primarily contains correspondence, notes, sketches, and printed material.
Scrapbook cover
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
23
Scrapbook
Archival Resource Key
1937-1951
6
24-29
Photographs
Series 8
Archival Resource Key
1 Folder
Box 6
1946-1972
Scope and Contents
The collection includes a small number of photographs of both individuals and works of art. Not all of the works of art represented in the photographs were produced by Burnett.
Photographs of individuals and works of art
Archival Resource Key
1946-1972
6
30
Artwork
Series 9
Archival Resource Key
2 Folders
1941-1942
Scope and Contents
The artwork series consists of a number of small drawings and illustrated cards or poems, as well as three small sketchbooks.
Drawings
Archival Resource Key
1941-1942
6
31
Sketchbooks
Archival Resource Key
undated
6
32