MassArt Galleries Collection, 1983-2010, bulk 1989-2004
File
Identifier: MCAD006
Scope and Contents
The materials in this collection document the activities of the MassArt galleries 1983 through 2010, with the bulk of materials focusing on the years 1989 through 2004The documents pertain to the galleries’ operations, communications, and activities. Letters included in the collection are between members of the committee and various parties, such as artists, educators, members of the public, MassArt faculty and staff, and others. A large portion of the correspondence is addressed to Jeffrey Keough, who was the [title]. The collection also includes promotional materials, curriculum materials, photographs of exhibitions, slides of artwork, and [add anything else]. The bulk of the materials pertain to the Greater Boston area where the galleries were operated although other locations are referenced, such as Japan; Seattle, Washington; Washington, D.C.; and Austin, Texas. Materials are largely textual and visual and include memoranda, correspondence, legal materials, publications, clippings, posters, photographs, slides, examples of artwork, and related materials. Significant topics discussed within the collection are art; exhibition catalogs; exhibition buildings; art rejected for exhibition; solo exhibitions (art); traveling exhibitions; event planning; curriculum planning; curriculum evaluation; grants; and Terezin concentration camp among others.
Dates
- 1983-2010, bulk 1989-2004
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Restricted Fragile Material may only be consulted with permission of the archivist. Preservation photocopies for reference use have been substituted in the main files. Contact the archivist regarding copyright limitations and restrictions on photographs and slides in the collection.
Conditions Governing Use
The MassArt Gallery Collection is the physical property of The MassArt Archives. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Photography rights, including copyright, belong to the photographers and their legal heirs and assigns.
Biographical / Historical
From the 1980s through the present, MassArt had a series of galleries where professional artists could display their work. Artists from around the world, such as William Wegman, Xu Bing, and Graciela Iturbide, have exhibited in these galleries. Artists were brought in through the renowned Visiting Artists Program which allowed artists to express their craft through symposia, exhibitions, lectures, and artist residencies.
MassArt’s galleries have also supported the education and artwork of students, alumni, and faculty from the MassArt community over the years. Numerous exhibitions recognized the work of students, faculty, and alumni. Many of the shows were annual, such as the All School Show, and are still held today. These exhibitions afforded students the opportunity to display their work in a gallery setting and share their art with a broader audience. The close proximity of the galleries also afforded students unparalleled educational opportunities.
The MassArt galleries had a long history of serving the greater Boston community, particularly local students. A number of programs utilizing art as an educational tool were run out of the MassArt galleries. These programs encouraged students to use their imagination and learn lifelong skills through exposure to the visual arts. The most successful of these programs was titled Looking to Learn. Numerous other programs and collaborations served Boston-area students.
Starting in March 2016, MassArt kicked off the UNBOUND campaign which aimed to raise funds for renovations of two of the gallery spaces: the Bakalar and Paine Galleries. The campaign surpassed the $12 million goal by raising a total of $12.5 million from 424 donors. Beginning in 2018, MassArt began renovating the Bakalar and Paine Galleries, located in the South Building. The UNBOUND campaign funded a full renovation of the entire 15,000 square foot, three floor gallery space. The renovations were aimed at revamping the space while preserving and restoring original 1906 campus building. The renovation project was led by designLAB Architects and Dimeo Construction.
On May 8, 2019, MassArt announced that the galleries were being transformed into the MassArt Art Museum, or MAAM. MAAM is a contemporary art museum which is free to the public. MAAM will continue the Paine and Bakalar Galleries legacy by promoting and sharing the work of visionary contemporary artists from around the world. As a teaching museum, MAAM will serve the needs of students at MassArt and in the greater Boston area. MAAM opened on February 22, 2020 with Valkyrie Mumbet by renowned Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, group exhibition Game Changers, and an installation titled Yesterday is Here by artist collection Ghost of a Dream.
MassArt’s galleries have also supported the education and artwork of students, alumni, and faculty from the MassArt community over the years. Numerous exhibitions recognized the work of students, faculty, and alumni. Many of the shows were annual, such as the All School Show, and are still held today. These exhibitions afforded students the opportunity to display their work in a gallery setting and share their art with a broader audience. The close proximity of the galleries also afforded students unparalleled educational opportunities.
The MassArt galleries had a long history of serving the greater Boston community, particularly local students. A number of programs utilizing art as an educational tool were run out of the MassArt galleries. These programs encouraged students to use their imagination and learn lifelong skills through exposure to the visual arts. The most successful of these programs was titled Looking to Learn. Numerous other programs and collaborations served Boston-area students.
Starting in March 2016, MassArt kicked off the UNBOUND campaign which aimed to raise funds for renovations of two of the gallery spaces: the Bakalar and Paine Galleries. The campaign surpassed the $12 million goal by raising a total of $12.5 million from 424 donors. Beginning in 2018, MassArt began renovating the Bakalar and Paine Galleries, located in the South Building. The UNBOUND campaign funded a full renovation of the entire 15,000 square foot, three floor gallery space. The renovations were aimed at revamping the space while preserving and restoring original 1906 campus building. The renovation project was led by designLAB Architects and Dimeo Construction.
On May 8, 2019, MassArt announced that the galleries were being transformed into the MassArt Art Museum, or MAAM. MAAM is a contemporary art museum which is free to the public. MAAM will continue the Paine and Bakalar Galleries legacy by promoting and sharing the work of visionary contemporary artists from around the world. As a teaching museum, MAAM will serve the needs of students at MassArt and in the greater Boston area. MAAM opened on February 22, 2020 with Valkyrie Mumbet by renowned Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, group exhibition Game Changers, and an installation titled Yesterday is Here by artist collection Ghost of a Dream.
Extent
30 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Given the lack of original arrangement, the materials were organized by the processor according to the relevant topics within the collection. Folders titles were maintained when available. In the event of missing or amended folder titles, this information was added by the processor and is indicated by brackets in the folder list. Photographs within the collection are separated by archival paper for preservation purposes. Slides can be found within the collection housed in plastic sleeves.
Arrangement
This collection is currently arranged into three series. As the collection will continued to be processed moving forward, the series and subseries are subject to change. More folders will be added into the series and subseries moving forward. Series are arranged chronologically and then alphabetically within the chronological arrangement when appropriate. The series arrangement of the collection is as follows:
Series 1: Looking to Learn materials Series II: Exhibitions Materials Series III: Terezin Exhibition
Series 1: Looking to Learn materials Series II: Exhibitions Materials Series III: Terezin Exhibition
Custodial History
The records of the MassArt Galleries were acquired by the MassArt Archives circa May 2012 when the gallery staff switched office locations.
General
ABBREVIATIONS WITHIN COLLECTION
LTL/L2L: Looking to Learn
MCC: Massachusetts Cultural Council
NAEA: National Art Education Association
ASAP: After School Art Partnership
VAP: Visiting Artists Program
IMLS: Institute of Museum and Library Services
NEA: National Endowment for the Arts
MCA: Massachusetts Cultural Association
- Title
- MassArt Galleries Collection, 1983-2010, bulk 1989-2004
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Jordan Meyerl and Danielle Sangalang
- Date
- February 2020 ; last updated March 2020
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Archive Repository