Commencement and Spring Show Collection, 1915-2022

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Summary

Creators:
San Francisco Art Institute
Abstract:
Extent:
6 boxes, 77 folders, 2.5 linear feet
Language:
Preferred citation:

Commencement and Spring Show Collection. San Francisco Art Institute Archive

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the history of the San Francisco Art Institute's commencement ceremonies and annual student exhibitions, often referred to as the Spring Show, from the years 1915-2022. (Note that the San Francisco Art Institute was also known as the California School of Design from 1874-1916 and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916-1961). The collection contains little material from the years 1915, 1917, 1927,1935. More extensive annual documentation starts in 1946. Most of the material from the early years focuses on the school's annual student exhibition and includes photographic documentation and information related to exhibition installation from the shows. Commencement material starts in the mid-1950s. It documents guest speakers and awards/honors, and includes correspondence, press, and graduate information. The amount of documentation varies by year, but most years contain a commencement program with a list of graduates. This collection also includes material pertaining to the Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree. The degree was first given to Gurdon Woods, the school's former director, in 1966, and started being awarded annually in 1974. Documents regarding nomination requests, nominee lists, recipient speeches, and biographies are included. Folders are organized chronologically.

Biographical / historical:

The San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI) was a private fine arts college dating back to 1874 when the San Francisco Art Association, an organization founded in 1871 to promote and exhibit local artists, first began offering art classes to the public. The school was known as the California School of Design from 1874 through 1916, and the California School of Fine Arts from 1916 through 1961, when it became the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). SFAI closed permanently in 2022.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Contact the San Francisco Art Institute Legacy Foundation + Archive for questions or requests regarding use of these materials.

Preferred citation:

Commencement and Spring Show Collection. San Francisco Art Institute Archive

Location of this collection:
20 Hawthorne St.
San Francisco, CA 94105, US