Rice University's Department of Fine Arts was established as part of Architecture in 1959 and James Chillman acted as the temporary chairman. Mr. William Caudill took over this job in 1961. In the early 1960’s the Fine Arts Department (changed to the Department of Art and Art History in 1978) consisted of several courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history. The faculty at that time was made up of Charles Schorre, David Parsons, Katherine Brown, and James Chillman as well as Jasper Rose, an Englishman who taught painting and art history. Eleanor Evans came in 1964 to teach a basic design course for freshmen architects. During that time the department offered neither a degree nor a major in fine arts. It served as a service department for the entire University to provide electives for all students. Sandy Havens, director of the Rice Players, requested he be assigned to the Fine Arts Department instead of the English Department.
At that time the Department was housed in the basement of Fondren Library with studio courses being taught in a temporary metal building at the base of the track stadium. In 1968, the Department moved to Allen Center where the first art gallery was established. During the first years, important exhibits included drawings of Dorothy Hood and photographs of Geoff Winningham. It was decided to begin building a permanent collection. The department moved to their new quarters in Sewall Hall in the early 1970’s. There they had classrooms, studios and offices.
In 1969 Dominique and John de Menil left the sponsorship of the Art History Department and gallery at the University of St. Thomas and proposed moving these activities to Rice University. The move of the entire Art Department, collection and staff, was completed and the de Menil’s Institute for the Arts at Rice was born. The Institute sponsored exhibits and published catalogs of national and international interest.
In 1965 John O’Neil was asked to become Chairman of the Department of Fine Arts. He accepted on the basis of being ‘acting’ chairman since it was not certain what the situation would be. In 1967 he decided to accept a permanent appointment at Rice. When the de Menil merger was completed, he continued as Chairman and Mrs. de Menil was the director of the Institute for the Arts.
In 1965 a proposal was made for an undergraduate major in Fine Arts at Rice University. In the 1970’s and 1980’s a Master of Arts degree in history of art and 5th year bachelors degree in studio were offered.
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This collection contains correspondence, memos, budgeting and accounting records, and other materials associated with the operation of the Fine Arts Department of Rice University from 1960-1969. The bulk of the material is from 1965 to 1968. Additional records include materials associated with the operation and promotion of the Allen Center gallery. Most of the papers are from the years when John O'Neil was active in the department. Some early papers are from Bill Lacy, associate chairman, and William Caudill, chairman of the Architecture Department. This collection offers a look at how Rice University created the Fine Arts Department that eventually led Dominique and John de Menil to transfer their patronage from the University of St. Thomas to Rice in 1969.
Archivist removed some items including personnel files that contained correspondence, resumes, letters of recommendation, etc. for applicants for positions in the Fine Arts Department. As far as can be determined, none of these applicants were hired. Some of these files had water damage and were not suitable for retention.
Materials are organized into six series:
This material is open for research.
Permission to publish from the Rice University Department of Fine Arts, John O'Neil, Chairman records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.
Rice University Department of Fine Arts records, John O'Neil, Chairman, UA 036, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University
See also information files for Fine Arts Department and Art and Art History Department and John O'Neil.
On November 21, 2002, Geraldine Aramanda, the archivist with the Menil Museum, gave these papers on behalf of the Menil to Rice University.
No future additions are expected for this material.
Included are budget and accounting papers, University policy memos, faculty travel and flood insurance correspondence and claims generated from a flood in the basement of Fondren Library on May 13, 1966 that damaged artwork from applicants for a faculty position. Some salary information for faculty may be found in the budget files. Budget for library purchases is in this series.
Series II contains correspondence and in a few cases, minutes, from various on and off campus committees and organizations.
Series III contains documents pertaining to the art and art history courses offered, enrollment, and schedules. There is also correspondence relating to the proposal of a Fine Arts Major at Rice University. Also there are lists of students accepted as majors. Grading and examination schedules, etc., are also included.
Series IV contains material from art department exhibits and gallery information. The exhibits are listed by artist name. There are gallery exhibits and transient exhibitions. These files may include press releases, brochures and announcements sent out to the community. Some of the general files pertain to artwork gifts and the CAA collection. There is also a folder of membership information such as MOMA, College Art Association, American Educational Theatre Association, Print Council of America, etc. Policies for operation of the gallery are included as well as a brief outline of the opening of the Allen Center Gallery and the plans for its operation.
Series V contains the general files such as calendars, correspondence and other general business of the Fine Arts Department. Much of the correspondence is between the chairman and other university offices, such as Dean of Humanities, faculty, and other campus departments. There is one folder of John O’Neil’s personal correspondence and includes a photograph of him. Some of the general information pertains to students and a couple of folders pertain to foreign study. There is correspondence about the publishing of a student magazine called
Series VI contains the personnel files from the Fine Arts Department. Files on some visiting lecturers and some resumes and correspondence are included here. The then current staff member’s curriculum vitae files are included. One file is from President Pitzer’s office and pertains to Fine Arts candidates for employment. The Miscellaneous Correspondence file includes some personnel correspondence that has references to hiring decisions and other departmental milestones such as the gallery program.