Historical Book Collection: Arts & Music
Our Historical Book Collection highlights influential works that continue to shape how we understand creativity, culture, and communication. These texts serve as inspiration for our programs, where youth engage with timeless ideas and transform them into modern creative expression.
The Principles of Aesthetics:
An Exploration of the Nature and Significance of Art
By De Witt H. Parker
This foundational philosophical work explores the emotional and intellectual significance of art and beauty. Parker examines how artistic expression shapes human understanding, encouraging readers to think critically about the role art plays in society and everyday life.
Supports our creative storytelling and arts education programs by helping students explore how art communicates ideas and emotions.
Inspires our music, animation, and visual arts curriculum by encouraging critical thinking around creativity and artistic expression.
Reinforces our mission of using the arts to strengthen community engagement, identity, and communication skills.
by Joshua Henry Jones Jr.
Heart of the World: A Candid Collection of Poetry About Being Black in 1900s America
A powerful collection of poetry reflecting the emotional, spiritual, and cultural realities of Black life during the height of racial tensions in 1900s America. Through themes of resilience, memory, identity, and justice, this work captures the importance of storytelling as both reflection and resistance.
Encourages students to explore identity, culture, and personal storytelling through poetry, music, and digital media.
Helps provide historical context that informs discussions around culture, resilience, empathy, and social impact within our programs.
Supports our focus on youth voice and creative expression as tools for confidence building and community connection.
By Leo Tolstoy
What Is Art?
In this influential philosophical text, Leo Tolstoy challenges traditional definitions of art and asks readers to reconsider its purpose within society. Rather than viewing art as something reserved for elites, Tolstoy explores how art can serve humanity by communicating emotion, truth, and shared human experience.
Inspires students to think about how art can be used for communication, social impact, and community storytelling.
Connects directly to our STEAM and creative media programs, where students use music, animation, and design to express ideas.
Encourages discussions around the role of creativity in building empathy, collaboration, and cultural understanding.