Harithas, James

(Show Bio)

James Harithas interviews, 1979 Mar. 16-1979 May 17

Sound recording: 1 sound tape reel ; 7 in.
Transcript: 106 p. (on one microfilm reel)
Reel(s): 3752

An interview of James Harithas conducted by Sandra Curtis Levy for the Archives of American Art. Harithas speaks of his youth in Maine; his educational background and early interest in art; the first exhibit he was involved in; his first curatorial position;

going to work for the Corcoran and becoming director there; some of the Corcoran's important exhibits; teaching at Hunter College; controversial activities he involved himself in; becoming curator at the Syracuse Museum; political programs and activities at Syracuse; moving to Houston and becoming curator of the Contemporary Arts Museum there; fundraising problems; the visual arts and their relationship to the media; ethnic exhibits; government support for the arts; trends in museums and collecting; Houston as an art community.

These interviews are part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.

How to Use this Interview

• Transcript: microfilm reel 3752 available for use through interlibrary loan.
• For more information on using resources at the Archives of American Art, please visit our Ask Us page