Mission Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs

nelson rockefeller, coordinator of inter-american affairs (1940)

the office of coordinator of inter-american affairs established in august 1940 order of u.s. council of national defense, , operated funds both government , private sector. executive order july 30, 1941, president franklin d. roosevelt established ociaa within office emergency management of executive office of president, provide development of commercial , cultural relations between american republics , thereby increasing solidarity of hemisphere , furthering spirit of cooperation between americas in interest of hemisphere defense.

the mission of ociaa cultural diplomacy, promoting hemispheric solidarity , countering growing influence of axis powers in latin america. ociaa s motion picture division played important role in documenting history , shaping opinion toward allied nations, particularly after u.s. entered world war ii in december 1941. support war effort — , own audience development throughout latin america — hollywood studios partnered u.s. government on nonprofit basis, making films , incorporating latin american stars , content commercial releases.

during 1940s cbs radio broadcasting network contributed ociaa s cultural initiatives establishing cbs pan american orchestra showcase prominent musical artists both north , south america on viva américa program. included among contributors alfredo antonini; terig tucci; john serry sr., elsa miranda (puerto rican vocalist), nestor mesa chaires (mexican tenor), juan arvizu (mexican tenor) , edmund a. chester

artists working in variety of disciplines appointed goodwill ambassadors latin america ociaa, sponsored variety of cultural tours. select listing includes misha reznikoff , photojournalist genevieve naylor (october 1940–may 1943); bing crosby (august–october 1941); walt disney (august–october 1941); aaron copland (august–december 1941); george balanchine , american ballet (1941); orson welles (1942); rita hayworth (1942); grace moore (1943); , john ford , gregg toland (1943).