San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art records, 1960-

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Summary

Title:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art records
Dates:
1960-
Creators:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Abstract:
The Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art (SECA) was founded in 1961 as an auxiliary of the San Francisco Museum of Art. SECA’s objective was to encourage private collectors to purchase contemporary works by local and national artists. SECA’s function shifted to awarding prizes to individual artists in 1967 and focused its attention on supporting Bay Area artists exclusively. The records are primarily administrative in nature, pertaining to its organizational management, and that of its awards and educational programs.
Extent:
16.5 linear feet (16 boxes, 10 cartons)
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], [box year and folder title], Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art, 1960-Ongoing, Administrative Records, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection dates from 1961 to the present. It documents SECA’s award and programmatic activities and its administrative history through correspondence, meeting minutes, financial records, publications, press releases, invitations to events, announcements, press clippings, and other materials.

The SECA records are divided into four series: Organizational, Administrative, Events and Activities, and Awards.

The Organizational files document SECA’s Council, Committee and Membership activities. They include official records such as meeting minutes, by-laws, committee meeting reports, membership correspondence, and member rosters.

The Administrative files cover the clerical and managerial aspects of SECA including general correspondence, financial records, fundraising efforts, and general clerical documentation.

The Events and Activities files document the various programs offered to SECA members. They include social gatherings such as member dinners and picnics; as well as lectures, panel discussions with significant collectors, and important art professionals; artists’ talks in art galleries and SECA members’ homes; national and international travel to visit museums, art galleries, studio visits, and private collections.

The Awards files relate to the procedures and production involved in the organization and implementation of SECA’s art, film, and other awards. The awards honor local artists of exceptional promise with an exhibition at the museum. The process involves soliciting artist recommendations, slide reviews, studio visits, and selection voting.

Award recipients have included Bonnie Sherk, Squeak Carnwath, Michael Naimark, Barry McGee, Rigo ’98, Kathryn Van Dyke, John Bankston, and Rosana Castrillo Diaz.

Acquisition information:
Institutional records generated by SFMOMA or collected by SFMOMA staff in the performance of work duties.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art staff using RecordEXPRESS
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], Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art, 1960-Ongoing, Administrative Records, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives.

Location of this collection:
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103, US
Contact:
(415) 618-3296
archives@SFMOMA.org
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