Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Curatorial records
- Dates:
- 1958-1978
- Creators:
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Abstract:
- The Curatorial collection consists of materials relating to the daily duties of SFMOMA’s curators and curatorial assistants before the formal establishment of curatorial departments. Includes correspondence from several museum staff, most significantly from curator John Humphrey.
- Extent:
- 2 linear feet (2 cartons)
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], [box year and folder title], Curatorial 1958-1978,Administrative Records, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Curatorial collection consists of materials relating specifically to the daily functions of the curators in the years leading up to the organization of a formal curatorial department. Documents the growth of the museum’s curatorial staff, and the evolving role of Curator John Humphrey over at the museum. Humphrey’s correspondence reveals his active role in exhibitions and his decision to concentrate solely on photograph at the end of his career at the museum. In addition to Humphrey’s responsibilities, this series also documents the more general role of the curatorial assistants, and includes inquiries from the general public.
The collection is divided into two series, based on the original arrangement of the records. The Correspondence and Administrative series contains correspondence and materials related predominately to collection development, research requests, and the organization of exhibitions. The Photographs series contains photographs documenting artworks, artists, and installations.
- Acquisition information:
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- Art appreciation—Study and teaching—California—San Francisco
Art museum curators
Art museums—Collection management—California—San Francisco
Art museums—Educational aspects
Art museums—Employees
Art museums and community—California--San Francisco
Museums—Curatorship - Names:
- San Francisco Museum of Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—Archives
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—History—Sources
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—Records and correspondence
Humphrey, John
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 2015
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is available for use. Some materials are restricted for confidentiality or condition.
- Terms of access:
-
For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the SFMOMA Archives.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], [box year and folder title], Curatorial 1958-1978,Administrative Records, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives.
- Location of this collection:
-
151 Third StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103, US
- Contact:
- (415) 618-3296