The Joe Nash Black Dance Photograph Collection was compiled by Nash, historian and researcher of black dance history, to document and acknowledge the contributions of black dancers, choreographers and dance companies from the 1930s to the 1980s. In his capacity as researcher, he also compiled published, unpublished and printed materials, and artwork about black dance and dancers, as well as lectured and coordinated exhibitions. The photograph collection consists of studio and candid portraits, views of rehearsals, and views of performances. Some of the dance styles depicted include ballet, modern, African and African interpretive, and theatrical dance. Views of indigenous dancers are limited; images of dancers or dance styles prior to the formation of dance companies appear in the Dancers series.
