Jan Veen collection, 1920s-1960s
Scope and Contents
The Jan Veen collection includes correspondence, photographs, writings, clippings, and books relating to or belonging to Jan Veen.
The majority of the collection contains photograph collections of Veen, both performing in productions and press stills. Most of the photograph collection is contained in their original scrapbook folders, with additional folders containing personal travel photographs and press photos from other performers.
Print materials within the collection include articles and a dance play written by Veen, correspondence with students and other performers, and programs from his performances. Additional materials include books and clippings related to Veen’s art history courses and programs from European, American, and Asian theater and dance programs. The collection contains one LP recording of Walter Piston’s “The Incredible Flutist”, which Veen choreographed.
Dates
- Creation: 1920s-1960s
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research by appointment. Advance notice is required for access because materials are stored offsite.
Audiovisual recordings have not been transferred. Patrons may view an item’s container and/or carrier, but the original recordings are not available for playback due to preservation concerns. Patrons may request access to viewing/listening copies via onsite appointment, however recordings on obsolete formats may not be available. Contact Archives staff for further information.
Biographical Note
Jan Veen, born Hans Wiener, was the founder of the dance department of the Boston Conservatory and chair of that department until 1967. Studying under Mary Wigman in Germany, he maintained an international career as a dancer and choreographer, eventually founding a studio in Boston. Following a fire that destroyed his studio on Huntington Ave. in 1943, Veen collaborated with Albert Alphin to establish a formal dance program at the Boston Conservatory.
Extent
12 boxes
Language of Materials
English
German
Spanish; Castilian
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series:
Series 1. General records
Series 2. Photographs
Series 3. Production and instruction materials
Series 4. Personal materials
Custodial History
Materials were variously retained by the Dance department and the Albert Alphin Library.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collected by the Boston Conservatory Dance department with additional materials donated to and preserved by the Albert Alphin Library (acquisition dates unknown). Given to archives in 2010, at the retirement of Yasi Tokunaga.
Processing Information
Processed by Brendan Higgins, 2015, prepared for ArchivesSpace by Ashley Gray and Thomas Wandborg, 2021
- Title
- Jan Veen collection, 1920s-1960s
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- Brendan Higgins; prepared for ArchivesSpace by Ashley Gray and Thomas Wandborg, 2021
- Date
- 2017/12/12
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Berklee Archives Repository