The Toy Association teamed up with StoryCorps for a project to record personal stories that will be archived as part of a national oral history project at the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress.
Generations of Play, An Oral History seeks to capture unique, personal stories from those working in the toy and family entertainment industries. Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or a seasoned vet, The Toy Association is interested in hearing your pitch for potential recording. Submissions will be narrowed down to a pool of 15 stories to be recorded in 40-minute sessions, from which StoryCorps will select seven, each edited down to three minutes for inclusion in the archive.
“The goal of this project is to celebrate the people who have dedicated their lives to the creation of toys; to chronicle the human connection in the quest to bring joy to children of all ages,” says Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. “By recording, sharing, and preserving our stories, we hope to showcase the richness of our past and the promise of our future.”
Submissions will be accepted through Dec. 6. with selected interviewees being notified no later than Dec. 15. Interviews will be recorded from Feb. 22 to 24, 2020, during Toy Fair New York at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
