About the Project: The Marian Anderson Archive: The Artist on the World Stage.

Thanks to the financial support from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) based in Washington, DC,  the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts received in 2017 a generous Hidden Collections Digitization Grant (Penn-180601) valued at $110,000 to digitize several key portions of the Marian Anderson Papers (Ms. Coll. 200).  Recognized as one of the 20th century’s greatest musical performers, Marian Anderson, an African American, was born in Philadelphia (1897-1993), where she is revered and memorialized. For the purpose of grant application submitted to the CLIR Hidden Collections grant, the Kislak Center staff proposed to digitize five series her extensive collection of surviving archives.

These series include her private sound recordings; audio interviews (and transcripts); recital programs; diaries and notebooks; and scrapbooks. Now digitized, these materials will enable researchers to explore the geographical extent of her musical career; study her repertoire; gain a deeper understanding of the blind prejudice she endured; and, despite her trials, marvel at her courage, reception and fame as she emerged as the Artist on the world stage during the Twentieth century.

The project team would like to acknowledge, not only the importance of the CLIR grant, without which, we would not have been able to undertake this important digitization project, but also the CLIR project staff who have been responsive, generous with their time and understanding. Thank you!