The Department of Concerts and Lectures was established at the University of Minnesota by an act of the Board of Regents in December 1943. The department, then known as the Concert and Lectures Bureau, was responsible for overseeing all lectures, concerts, and other entertainment brought to the University. The first director of the department was James S. Lombard, former head of the correspondence department of the General Extension Division.
Originally, the department was responsible for management and promotion of the University Artists' Course, administration of the University lyceum, selecting convocation speakers, and integrating these activities with specific academic departments. It also oversaw the Community Program service, a play library available for loan to all school in the area. Over time, the responsibilities of the department changed to overseeing programming and special events held at Northrop Auditorium.
From the guide to the Department of Concerts and Lectures papers, 1932-1988, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
