AAAMC has moved!
We are excited to announce our move into new offices on the 3rd floor of the west tower of Wells Library!
The AAAMC is now open to the public from 10am-12pm as we settle into the new space and prepare for expanded hours and services. In addition to welcoming visitors to our new location, during these limited hours we will be offering the following in-person services:
- Reference consultations about the collections
- Limited in-person collection access during public opening hours (by appointment only)
We will also continue to fill remote reference requests. Please reach out to us at aaamc@iu.edu for requests of questions about the archives.
Upcoming Event!
“Experience the Archives of African American Music and Culture in March”
The AAAMC has recently moved into its new location in the Wells Library, which lies at the center of IU’s campus. As a result, we have experienced an uptick in visitations from students, faculty, and community members, thus increasing engagement of our rich collections on Black music and culture. We welcome you to come experience our new home during the Archive’s first public event, AAAMC Open House, Friday, March 7th, 2025, 5:30pm-7:30pm.
During this affair, we will offer tours of the AAAMC suite. Additionally, there will be live music, light hors d'oeuvres, and the highlight of the evening, a talk by former IU Soul Revue Director, composer, educator, author, and jazz guitarist Dr. William Banfield, who will speak about his vast artistic endeavors along with his collection materials housed at the AAAMC. This initial event is FREE and open to the public, but please arrive early as space is limited.
Also, please join us for our second event, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) concert, American Voices For All Time, on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, 5pm-7pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre; with a preconcert talk by Dr. Banfield at 4pm. American Voices For All Time is the result of an ongoing partnership established in 2021 between the AAAMC and BSO, in an effort to elevate performances of musical works by Black composers within the orchestral tradition. During this presentation, you will experience the BSO’s rendition of Banfield’s Symphony no. 6: Four Songs for Five Voices, along with the performance of compositions by George Gershwin and Florence Price among others. The Bridges Youth Orchestra will also perform during the concert.
With these two events, the AAAMC hopes to provide you with a broad, dynamic, and unique experience centering our archival holdings. Simply put, we are bringing our collections alive!
Welcome to the AAAMC
At the AAAMC, you will find materials covering a range of African American musical idioms and cultural expressions primarily from the post-World War II era. Our collections highlight popular, religious, and classical music, with genres ranging from blues and gospel to R&B and contemporary hip hop. The AAAMC also houses extensive materials related to the documentation of black radio.
More about the AAAMCUnique Collections
Discover unique materials documenting the history and roles of African Americans in the arts, entertainment, and beyond.
Explore CollectionsPreserving Images
The AAAMC preserves thousands of original photographic prints. Many of these are digitized and available online.
Explore Image Collections
Preserving Media
The AAAMC is an active partner with IU's Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative. Thousands of hours of time-based media from our collections will eventually be available online.
Explore Media CollectionsVisit the AAAMC
Visit the AAAMC to explore our collections in person. Our staff is ready to assist you and your research.
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The latest word from the archive.
Give to the AAAMC
By supporting the AAAMC through the donation of a collection or financial contribution, you are joining the initiative to preserve and make accessible important cultural and historically significant materials that might otherwise be lost.