Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Curatorial records
ARCH.ADM.011
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Curatorial records
Dates: 1958-1978
Collection Number: ARCH.ADM.011
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Extent: 2 linear feet (2 cartons)
Repository:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco, California 94103
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.
Language of Material: English
Collection is available for use. Some materials are restricted for confidentiality or condition.
For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the SFMOMA Archives.
[Identification of item], [box year and folder title], Curatorial 1958-1978,Administrative Records, San Francisco Museum of
Modern Art Archives.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
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
Humphrey, John
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