David D. Emert and Jon P. Templin collection on the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus and ImageOut Film Festival, 1989-2013

Summary

Abstract:
This collection consists of the papers collected by David Emert, Producer of the ImageOut! Film Festival and performer in the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus. The materials date between 1989 and 2013. The materials consist of programs, budgets, meeting minutes, and planning materials for the ImageOut! Film Festival, programs, photographs, and articles regarding the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, buttons and pins, and posters.
Extent:
1.0 Cubic Feet Three boxes and one over sized file folder.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

David Emert Collection of Rochester Gay Men's Chorus and ImageOut Film Festival, [box#:folder#]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of the papers collected by David Emert, Producer of the ImageOut Film Festival and performer in the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus. The materials date between 1989 and 2013. The materials consist of programs, budgets, meeting minutes, planning, photographs, articles, buttons and pins, and posters.

This collection contains materials regarding the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival that began in 1993. In 1996, the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival changed its name to ImageOut Film Festival. The collection contains programs for ImageOut from 1993-2010, and 2012-2013. The program for 2011 is not in this collection. It also contains meeting minutes, budgets, correspondence, and other administrative documents from the ImageOut Film Festival.

The materials in this collection regarding the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus includes photographs, articles, and concert programs. The buttons, pins, and posters are related to LBGTQ events and issues from the late 1980's to the early 2000's.

Biographical / historical:

David Emert became a host of the GALA leadership conference in 1988 and heard the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus sing. He joined the chorus in late 1988. He served on the board of directors as secretary and member at large. He was also the co-director of development and co-chair of GALA fundraising. Emert helped revise the chorus handbook and created an advertising sales system in the mid 1990's. David was also very involved in the ImageOut Film Festival. He was a chair member in 1994, as well as a member of the advertising sub-committee, and the executive planning committee. In 1995, David was the festival producer, on the executive board, finance chair, and in advertising and sales. Emert was also the editor of ImageOut News. David Emert was a large contributor to the Rochester Gay Men's Chorus and the ImageOut Film Festival. He contributed with his time, money, and knowledgeable skill set.

The Rochester Gay Men's Chorus was started in 1982 to seek a better world for themselves, their community, and for the nation by sowing seeds of harmony through the universal language of music. The Chorus has a membership of over 40 people. Members of the RGMC have represented the Rochester community at every choral festival of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. The RGMC performs concerts around the Rochester area and have held exchange concerts with choruses in Detroit, Philadelphia, Toronto, Vancouver, Cleveland, and Germany. The Chorus belongs to the Greater Rochester Choral Consortium and the Arts and Cultural Council of Monroe County. They currently perform three concerts annually.

The ImageOut Film Festival started as the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival in 1993. The RGLFVF started under the auspices of the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley. The first festival included 18 programs and 100 films and videos that focused on celebrating and documenting the past and present of the global Lesbian and Gay community. In 1994, the festival introduced the Third Coast Call for Work that highlighted the work of regional film and video makers. The festival also introduced sign-language interpretive services of the film programs.

By 1996, the Rochester Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival had become so successful that it was incorporated into an independent not-for-profit 501(c) 3 corporation and was renamed ImageOut. Each year since then has been an ever increasing success. The festival has grown from two venues in 1993 to five venues in 2001. In 2015, ImageOut continues to be the leading provider of LGBT arts and cultural programs in the region and hosts the largest film festival in Rochester and the largest LGBT film festival in New York State. ImageOut is more than a film festival, the six programs and services are:

Annual Film Festival
ImageRaisers
Next Generation Film Series
ImageOutReach
ImageArt
ImageOutWrite
Acquisition information:
This collection was donated by the Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, 100 College Avenue, Suite 100, Rochester, New York 14607 on August 11, 2016 [Acquisition number 2017-017].
Processing information:

This project was made possible by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department.

This collection was kept in the original order in which it was donated to the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, Local History and Genealogy Division. All metal fasteners were removed, posters were removed from the tube and flattened, and the pins and buttons were removed from the paper files and placed in their own archival box.

According to deed of gift, any duplicates or items found unsuitable to the RPL collections and not retained should be returned to the donor. Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley, 100 College Ave., Suite 100, Rochester, New York 14607.

Arrangement:

This collection consists of four boxes divided into five series:

Series I: ImageOut, 1993-2013
Series II: Rochester Gay Men's Chorus, 1989-2003
Series III: Pins and Buttons 1989-1994, undated
Series IV: Posters 1989-1990, undated
Series V: Miscellaneous, 1989,1994
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this collection.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Preferred citation:

David Emert Collection of Rochester Gay Men's Chorus and ImageOut Film Festival, [box#:folder#]. Local History and Genealogy Division, Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County N.Y.

Location of this collection:
Rundel Memorial Building
115 South Avenue
Rochester, NY 14604, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
585-428-8370
lochist@libraryweb.org