Exhibition Design and Installation Department Records Finding aid prepared by Anna J. Clarkson This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit January 31, 2014 Describing Archives: A Content Standard Generously supported with funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) Archives and Manuscripts Collections, The Baltimore Museum of Art January 14, 2014 10 Art Museum Drive Baltimore, MD, 21032 (443) 573-1778 BMAlibrary@artbma.org
Table of Contents Summary Information... 3 Institutional History... 4 Scope and Contents... 4 Arrangement...5 Administrative Information...5 Controlled Access Headings...6 Collection Inventory... 7 Exhibitions and Rotations...7 Subject Files...8 - Page 2 -
Summary Information Repository Archives and Manuscripts Collections, The Baltimore Museum of Art Creator Baltimore Museum of Art. Design and Installation Department. Creator Baltimore Museum of Art Title Exhibition Design and Installation Department Records Date [inclusive] 1965-2007 Extent 43.0 Linear feet [35 boxes] Language English Abstract The Design and Installation Department Records reflect the activities of the department within The Baltimore Museum of Art from 1949-2007. They span 43 linear feet (35 boxes) and include primarily exhibition and rotation label text, layouts, and specifications. In addition, the records group contains a very limited amount of subject files related to the department's general activities. - Page 3 -
Institutional History It is unclear when the Department of Installation and Exhibition Design was formed. Throughout the Museum's one hundred year history the department has had several names and organizational structures. When the Museum moved to its permanent Wyman Park location in 1929, its staff was very limited and charged with multiple responsibilities. At that time, the Building Superintendent, G. Price Tarleton, worked as an installationist. Tarleton invented a unique hanging system for artwork, reupholstered fabric covered gallery walls, and painted. From the 1950s through 1970s the positions of Installationist, Designer, and Assistant Designer were listed as positions within the Curatorial Services Division. Margaret Powell served as Director of Installation for many years with Mabel Kaji and Robert A. Zimmerman as Designers and Barbara Root and Robert S. Holland as Assistant Designers. In 1972, the department's structure changed further with the appointment of Renato Danese as Curator of Department of Exhibitions. Under Danese's brief tenure were: Consultant Curator of Photography, Jaromir Stephany; Installationist, Margaret Powell; Designer, Robert A. Zimmerman; Design Assistant, Robert S. Holland; Preparators, Richard Kibbey and Arthur Leaderman; and Intern (Assistant for Photography), Walter Urie. After Danese's departure and by 1977, the Department of Exhibitions consisted of reduced staff including: Installationist, Robert A. Zimmerman; Adjunct Installationist, Margaret Powell; and Designers, Melanie Harwood and Diane Sadoni. The department remained under the Curatorial Services Division. In 1983 Karen Nielsen was appointed Installation Coordinator and the following year, Director of the Exhibition Design and Installation Department. Under Nielsen the Department relocated organizationally several times within the Museum. From 1984 to 1998 the Department reported to Deputy Director and Head Curator of the Museum, Brenda Richardson. From 1999 to 2000 the Department reported to Deputy Director of Exhibitions, Kristie Alexander. From 2000 to 2007 the Department reported to the Director of the Museum, Doreen Bolger. Currently, the Department is headed by Karen Nielsen and consists of: Installation Manager, Dave Verchomin; Preparator, Anthony Boening; Graphic Design Manager, Vicki Kaak; Lighting Designer and Technical Coordinator, Kel Millionie. The Department has been under The Education Division since the appointment of Deputy Director, Anne Manning in 2007. Scope and Contents - Page 4 -
The Design and Installation Department Records reflect the activities of the department within The Baltimore Museum of Art from 1965-2007. They span 43 linear feet (35 boxes) and include primarily exhibition and rotation label text, layouts, and specifications. In addition, the records group contains a very limited amount of subject files related to the department's general activities. As a whole, the records of the Design and Installation Department cover only the technical aspects of preparing exhibitions. Other exhibition records of a planning and logistical nature can be found in the records of the Registration, Curatorial, and Education Departments. Arrangement Arranged into two series: 1. Exhibitions and Rotations. 2. Subject Files. Administrative Information Publication Information Archives and Manuscripts Collections, The Baltimore Museum of Art January 14, 2014 Restrictions on Use The Design and Installation Department Records are the physical property of the Archives and Manuscripts Collections, The Baltimore Museum of Art. Copyright, except in cases where material has passed into the public domain, belongs to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. The Design and Installation Department Records are closed to outside researchers for 25 years from the date of creation unless otherwise indicated in the Archives Access Policy. For further information, consult a Library staff member. Provenance Transferred to the Archives in several installments, dates unknown. Processing Information Processed by Anna J. Clarkson in 2014. - Page 5 -
Controlled Access Headings Personal Name(s) Harwood, Melanie Nielsen, Karen Powell, Margaret Tarleton, G. Price Zimmerman, Robert A. Subject(s) Art -- Exhibition techniques Art education Art museums -- Exhibitions Art objects Art--Exhibition techniques Baltimore Museum of Art Design drawings Floor plans Museum labels - Page 6 -
Exhibitions and Rotations. Collection Inventory Exhibitions and Rotations. 1970-2012 41.0 Linear feet [35 boxes] Box 3-34 General Note Box 3 1970-1975 Box 4 1975-1979 Box 5 1980-1982 Box 6 1983-1985 Box 7 1985-1989 Box 8 1987-1988 Box 9 1988-1990 Box 10 1990-1992 Box 11 1992-1993 Box 12 1993-1993 Box 13 1994-1995 Box 14 1995-1996 Box 15 1996 Box 16 1997 Box 17 1997 Box 18 1997 Box 19 1997 - Page 7 -
Subject Files. Box 20 1997-1998 Box 21 1997-1998 Box 22 1999-1999 Box 23 2000 Box 24 2000 Box 25 2000-2001 Box 26 2001 Box 27 2001-2002 Box 28 2002 Box 29 2003 Box 30 2003 Box 31 2004 Box 32 2005 Box 33 2006 Box 34 2007-2012 Subject Files. 1965-2004 3.0 Linear feet [3 boxes] Box OS 1 Box 1-2 Box List Box 1 Lucas Exhibitions (1965-1998) Box 2 This Week at The BMA (2004-2001) Box OS 1 Prints and Drawings (1973-1977) [1 folder] Painting & Sculpture (1973-1976) Photography Exhibitions (1980-1983) Loans Out Lists (1978-1985) - Page 8 -