Student Scholarship

Document Type

Research Paper

Abstract

This paper provides a detailed examination of the Visual Arts Section of the Pan American Union and its role within the broader Organization of American States. The study begins by contextualizing the section within the history of inter-American cooperation, tracing the evolution of the OAS from Simon Bolivar’s 1826 Congress of Panama to the formal signing of the OAS Charter in 1948. The author explains that the Pan American Union serves as the permanent central organ and General Secretariat for the OAS, housing various departments including the Department of Cultural Affairs. 

The core of the research focuses on the Visual Arts Section, which was formally established as an independent division in 1948 to promote knowledge of Latin American art on an international scale. Led by Chief Jose Gomez-Sicre, the section manages a variety of projects, including rotating monthly exhibitions of contemporary art, the publication of monographs and museum guides, and the maintenance of extensive research files on artists. The section also facilitates inter-American exchange by assisting artists with exhibitions in the United States and managing an exhibit loan service for educational institutions. 

Despite its significant cultural contributions, the author notes that the section operates under significant constraints, including a small staff, a limited budget, and a lack of organized public relations. The conclusion reflects on the rising creative independence of American artists who are increasingly adapting European influences to their own environments. The author asserts that the Visual Arts Section performs a vital pioneer service by assembling works of free expression and stimulating public interest in a field where comprehensive surveys and inter-American museums are otherwise lacking.

Research Highlights

  • Primary Figures:  Jose Gomez-Sicre served as Chief of the Visual Arts Section during the research interviews. 

  • The Problem: The Section of Visual Arts, established in 1948, faced a scarcity of research material, a limited operating budget, and a "time deficit" where public demand for services exceeded available resources. 

  • The Method: Research involved personal interviews with administrative staff, analysis of monthly and annual reports from 1953–1954, and a review of the Organization of American States (OAS) historical evolution from 1826 to 1948. 

  • Quantitative Finding: The OAS is composed of 21 republics; the Visual Arts Section was 7 years old at the time of writing; staff turnover is noted as small; the department includes 4 distinct divisions including Cultural Affairs. 

  • Qualitative Finding: The program aims to promote Latin American art internationally and indicate currents of free expression; it utilizes a photographic and artist filing system for public reference; it operates an Exhibit Loan Service to provide contemporary prints, handicrafts, and kodachrome slides to educational institutions.

Publication Date

1-1955

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