Jeff Donaldson papers, 1918-2005, bulk 1960s-2005

Records of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA) include documentation on the group's history, exhibitions, scattered meeting and financial records, photographs of the artists' work, and member files. General records include founding documents such as the group's articles of incorporation. Photographs include images of Donaldson and other members of the group, AfriCOBRA events, and the organization's emblem.

Member files include biographical information sheets, press clippings, photographs of the artists and artworks, and correspondence between the artist and Donaldson. One sound recording contains a conversation with member Frank Smith.

Slides are primarily of artwork, but also include some images of artists.

CONFABA (Conference on the Functional Aspects of Black Art) was a conference held at Northwestern University in 1970. As an organizer of this event, Donaldson's records include correspondence, and general records, as well as post-conference feedback. General records include draft programs, lists of participants, press releases, and copies of presentations. Of note are sketches created during the event by several participants, including Margaret Burroughs, Eugenia V. Dunn, Tom Feelings,and Leatrice Y. Tucker.

Also found are photographs of the event and participants. Photographs by Box/Thomas Burroughs include photos of Ben Bey, Charlie Burroughs, Paul Keene, Omar Lama, Hughie Lee Smith, and Edsel Reid.

FESTAC, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, was a major international festival held in Lagos, Nigeria, from January 15 to February 12, 1977. Donaldson was an event organizer and chairman of the United States Zonal Committee and his extensive records include planning documents, correspondence, reports, records of eleven planning meetings, including minutes and notes and a sound recording related to the first meeting, copies of all event colloquiums, lists of participants, entry forms, and press materials. Also found are drafts of his "documemoir" detailing the event. Correspondence includes that between board members, and with the Director of International Coordination, Professor Chike Onwauchi. Also found are records documenting various grants and other funding sources for FESTAC.

Photographs document festival performers in all of the arts represented at FESTAC, including press photos of performers, as well as some photographs taken at festival events and meetings. Photographs by Hoyt Fuller include photos of Ossie Davis, Alioune Diop, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Katherine Dunham, Barbara Ann Teer, and Milton Martin.

The Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) records compiled by Donaldson include administrative documentation on the formation of the group and the planning for its famous public artwork The Wall of Respect. Included are planning documents, press materials, and two photographs, including one of The Wall of Respect.

Records of Donaldson's participation in other professional committees and conferences include planning documents, correspondence, photographs, draft writings for the events, and event publications. Researchers should note that files regarding his role as guest editor for an issue of the International Review of African American Art coincided with his curatorship of the TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition in 1997 (Series 6.1) and documentation on these activities may be found in both sets of records.