American Samoan Arts Council

By Susan Macdonald

preserving the creative arts in American Samoa seems A to be a less critical question these days than that of preserving the equilibrium of the American Samoan Arts Council.

Not only did its 11 members expertly design and execute the Third Annual Arts Festival—which included a performing arts concert and the Islands’ first film festival—during Flag Day Celebrations in April, but at the same time readied the territory’s new museum, its aquarium and its offi cial seal for dedication. Then, without a backward nod, they marched away from Flag Day into feverish plan ning sessions for the Arts Council Choir’s tour of the States this past June.

While there was little time for applause between pro jects, the Arts Festival should be logged in the record book as a smashing success.

Volunteers collected more than 600 display items.

From the villages came exquisite tapa, mats, and com bined talents of many produced a colourful exbibit of in digenous and newly-introduced art forms for the enjoy ment of all the people of American Samoa.

More than 80 cash awards were given as prizes.

Winners were announced at the performing arts con cert —a full evening of Polynesian singing, dancing and entertainment provided by high school dramatic

and musical groups, Early Childhood Education teachers, and the Arts Council Choir.

A special public performance by the choir on May 26 gave residents an opportunity to see how they would be represented in the US. The tour, held in conjunction with American Samoa’s sister-city affiliation with Ocean side, California, took the choir to San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Francisco and Honolulu. Free con certs were given in Samoan communities and at least one public performance was offered in each city visited.

In keeping with the Council’s policy of emphasising and maintaining the rich issue of Samoan culture, only traditional songs and dances are performed by the group.

The growth of the choir, in terms of size and ability, has been a development viewed with great pride by the people of American Samoa. Its nucleus was formed in 1971 when the Samoan opera “lefata,” written by Ueta Solomona of Western Samoa, was presented at the First Arts Festival. In May, 1972 the opera was performed at the First South Pacific Arts Festival held in Fiji. It was during this event, also, that the Arts Council Choir gave its first public performance. The group now has 65 members and recently released a long-playing re cord called “American Samoan Spectacular/’ Recordings have been presented to high government officials, includ-

ing President Nixon, and to astronauts and other visiting dignitaries.

The American Samoan Arts Council was formed in 1970. Its initial project was to translate and re-tape a large collection of Samoan songs and legends re corded in the villages. The scope of interest and in volvement has grown to include Council participation in a major share of Flag Day activities, an on-going beautification programme, an artist-in-residence pro gramme, plus constant attention to the further deve lopment of American Samoa’s museum. Under the museum’s cultural exchange programme, a group from Hawaii gave an exhibition of Middle European folk dancing at last year’s Arts Festival, and the Council hopes to continue and expand this type of activity.

Future plans also include the landscaping and beauti fication of public buildings and the display of art in public places. Another major project on the drawing board is renovation of the territory’s only auditorium, with new lighting, sound systems, and landscaping programmed for the facility. An amateur night programme is envisaged, which would give unseasoned entertainers a chance to perform in public, and local establishments a source for new talent.

Most of the Council’s financing comes from the National Endowment for the arts in Washington, DC.

These grants are matched by local funds and/or in-kmd services. The local legislature, realising the value of the Council’s activities, has begun to appropriate more funds for their work.

Members are appointed to one-year terms by the Governor under general authority given him to set up programmes he deems are in the best interest of the people of American Samoa. The Council elects i f s own officers. Mrs Jean Haydon serves as chairman; Tuiasosopo is vice-chairman and director of the cultural performing arts programme. Other members are: George Sanderson, High Chief A. Galea’i Fai’ivae, Jane Tu’uinaatu Uhrle, High Chief Te’o Tuatagaloa, “Gus”

Annesley, Dr Betty Kendall Johnston, Judge A. P.

Lutali, Filiva’a Mageo, Fa’au Maeata’anoa and Jan Kiaer.

The past and future meet daily in American Samoa.

It is our good fortune to have a quality Arts Council devoted to sorting out the good and meaningful pieces from both worlds and exposing them to the light.

The Arts Council Choir of American Samoa