Records of the Exhibitions Department (RG-23), 1936/2015

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Restrictions:

The collection is minimally processed. Requests to perform research must be submitted to the VMFA Archives at least three business days in advance.

As custodians of public records, VMFA only restricts access to public records when sensitive information is present. Such restrictions are applied in accordance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia, § 2.2-3700 thru § 2.2-3714) and the Government Data Collection and Dissemination Practices Act (Code of Virginia, § 2.2-3800 thru § 2.2-3809). Both Museum staff and the public may need written permission from the Director to view certain restricted records.

Series 3 (Collections Management) is restricted as they contain sensitive information about acquisitions, insurance, security, and other issues related to the museum's art collection.

Terms of access:

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Preferred citation:

Records of the Exhibitions Department (RG-23). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
193.0 Linear Feet 265 boxes
Creator:
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Records of the Exhibitions Department (RG-23). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection's inclusive dates are 1936-2015, with the bulk of the material dating from 1979-2004. The collection is comprised of correspondence, exhibition schedules, budgets, grant applications, photographs, object lists, notes, collection statements, planning documents, project files, policies, loan arrangements and decisions, and other materials.

Custodial history:

The collection was transferred from the Exhibitions Department through periodic deposits.

Processing information:

This collection was originally processed from June through August 2011, and then reprocessed in 2016. During processing, non-permanent materials such as copies of meeting minutes, routine correspondence, copies of invoices, departmental budgetary information, and declined exhibition proposals were destroyed according to VMFA's Records Retention and Disposition Schedule. Periodicals, books, and exhibition catalogs were transferred to the Library's collection. All files before 1980 were rehoused in new archivally sound folders. Original folder titles were generally retained, when provided.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into 4 series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series. Items with no date are generally placed at the end at each series. The collection is minimally processed, so folder arrangement, titles, or dates are subject to change if additional processing occurs.

Series 1
Exhibition Files, 1936-2012, undated
Series 2
Exhibitions Management, 1936-2015, undated
Series 3
Collections Management, 1977-2004, undated [RESTRICTED]
Series 4
Galleries, 1977-2004, undated