Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art records
ARCH.ADM.012
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art records
Dates: 1960-
Collection Number: ARCH.ADM.012
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Extent: 16.5 linear feet (16 boxes, 10 cartons)
Repository:
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco, California 94103
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.
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], Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art, 1960-Ongoing, Administrative
Records, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Archives.
Institutional records generated by SFMOMA or collected by SFMOMA staff in the performance of work duties.
Scope and Content of Collection
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.
Art—Collectors and collecting
Art, Modern—20th century—Exhibitions
Art, Modern—20th century—Study and teaching—California—San Francisco
Art museums and community—California—San Francisco
Art museums—Collection management
Art museums—Educational aspects
San Francisco Museum of Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—Archives
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—Board of Trustees
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—History—Sources
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art—Records and correspondence
Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art
SECA