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Woman's Building Records
Coll2014-126  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
Artwork, administrative records, event records, financial records, promotional materials, and publications of the Woman’s Building in Los Angeles from its founding in 1973 to its dissolution in 1991. The Woman’s Building was one of the nation’s first nonprofit arts and educational centers dedicated to the development of women’s identity, sensibility, and creativity.
Background
The founding of the Woman's Building in Los Angeles in 1973 was the culmination of several years of activity by women artists who were energized by the feminist movement in this country. This activity included protests of major museums for their exclusion of women artists, the opening of gallery spaces dedicated to the work of women, the founding of the first feminist art education programs (in 1970, by Judy Chicago at Fresno State College and in 1971 by Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro at California Institute of the Arts), and the first large scale public feminist art installation, Womanhouse. In 1973, artist Judy Chicago, graphic designer Sheila Levrant de Bretteville, and art historian Arlene Raven founded the first independent school for women artists, the Feminist Studio Workshop. The FSW focused not only on the development of artmaking skills (in visual arts, writing, performance art, video, graphic design and the printing arts), but also on the development of women's identity and sensibility, and the translation of these elements into their artwork. Central to the founders' vision was the idea that the arts should not be separated from other activities of the burgeoning women's community, and the three looked for a site for their school that could also be shared with other organizations and enterprises.
Extent
24.1 Linear Feet 6 archive boxes, 5 flat archives boxes, 2 map case drawers, 1 archive carton
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
Staff and payroll records are restricted until 2060. There are otherwise no access restrictions.