How does one learn about an art form when the majority of it’s history is found in an oral tradition? Stories passed on from one generation to another, although fraught with personal commentary and opinion, serve as the foundation for much of the primary source knowledge we have regarding tap dance. Yet, there are other sources. Newspaper clippings may be found describing tap dancing; the earliest of film clips help serve as visual representation; and programs and posters from shows help us learn more about the progression of many tap dancers’ careers. However, none of these resources may be found in one place, cataloged in such a way that facilitates the exploration of tap dance as a whole.
Build a digital archive that includes print material, audio recordings, film and video, and catalog the materials so that one can learn through the exploration of the archive. The Tap Legacy Digital Archive is coupled with non-digital assets like costumes, tap shoes, and other more personal items, providing the most inclusive and complete collection of tap dance related materials in the world.
A note on accessibility: Accessibility is a challenge in an ever-changing landscape of digital formats, intellectual property rights, and what seems like a growing feeling from the public that media is a free commodity. Indeed, upon its launching, the Tap Legacy Digital Archive will be open and available for viewing by the public. However, it will not be made accessible on the internet until such a time that there is an appropriate solution that will ensure the safety and integrity of the assets many dancers have spent their lives producing.
