Call Number:

04.028

Repository:

Drexel University: Archives and Special Collections

Extent:

4.0 cubic feet

Language:

English

Date:

2005- (inclusive)

Form:

Programs and Promotional materials

Abstract:

This collection consists of the records of the Antionette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design, continuing UR 4.009, the Nesbitt College of Design Arts records. The collection has been arranged in 9 series; Architecture, Cinema and Video, Chorus, Dance, Fashion Design and Design and Merchandizing, MAD Dragon, Promotional Material, Television Management, and Theatre.

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts has been known by many names since its inception at the founding of Drexel University; the Department of Domestic Economy (1891-1894), Departments of Domestic Science and Arts (1895-1914), School of Domestic Science and Arts (1914-1922), School/College of Home Economics (1922-1974), Nesbitt College of Design, Nutrition, Huiman Behavior, and Home Economics (1974-1985), Nesbitt College of Design Arts (1985-1998), College of Design Arts (1998-2005). The college was founded with the intention of providing courses of study specifically for women, including cookery, dressmaking and other domestic arts. This was later expanded to include domestic science, home economics, dietetics, and child care. Over time, the college began adding courses related to the design, applied and performing arts while slowly eliminating those related to domestic tasks. Currently, the college offers 19 major courses of undergraduate study, including Graphic Design, Dance, Architecture, Photography and Screenwriting, as well as several graduate programs.

This collection consists of 9 series, based primarily on the office or department responsible for their creation. All series are arranged alphabetically, with series involving individuals arranged alphabetically by last name.

The Architecture series includes postcards and brochures detailing that department’s programs and events, including annual student exhibitions, special events, and the “Discovering Architecture” and “Exploring Interior Design” programs. The Cinema and Video series contains strategic planning documents from that department, most of which are undated. The Chorus series contains a large number of event programs, including every major performance from 1992 to 2009, as well as Madrigal Dinner programs from 1991 to 2009. The Dance series contains primarily records concerning the Drexel Dance Ensemble, including contact lists and rehearsal schedules from 1995 to 2009. Also included are a large collection of programs and postcards from Ensemble performances, as well as 7 DVD recordings of performances recorded from 2007 through 2010.

The Fashion Design and Design and Merchandising series contains records concerned with the annual fashion show, including brochures, factsheets, advertisements and invitations. Also included are several issues of D&M Magazine, as well as a number of VHS video recordings of fashion show events. This series also contains a large Student Work subseries, with individual projects arranged in alphabetical order by their creator’s last name whenever possible. This subseries also includes an oversized box of unsorted watercolors, inks and prints.

The MAD Dragon series contains several albums published under the MAD Dragon label, as well as examples of download cards created and distributed by the label. Also included is the complete tenure treatise of Marcy Rauer Wagman, CEO of MAD Dragon and Program Director of the Music Industry Program. This document illustrates the milestones reached by both the program and record label over time.

The Promotional Material series contains promotional items concerning the college at large, rather than those limited to a specific program. Specifically, this series contains a number of DVD recordings of interviews, special events and program overviews. The Television Management series is current composed of a single folder containing a program overview factsheet and several promotional video recordings. The Theatre series contains a number of program-specific promotional items, including CD recordings and postcards for “Late Night Series Philly”.