South Dakota Art Museum Records

Finding Aid

Download Finding Aid and Container List

Collection Summary

Identifier

UA 38

Title

South Dakota Art Museum Records

Creator

South Dakota Art Museum; South Dakota Memorial Art Center

Dates

1965-2009

Extent

23 linear feet (26 boxes) photographs, sound recordings

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Access note

This collection is stored off-site. Requests to view this material must be made at least 24 hours in advance. This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item . South Dakota Art Museum Records. UA 38. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

Established in 1970, the South Dakota Art Museum acquires and cares for works of art, which preserves the rich and varied artistic legacy of South Dakota. The collection is composed of records related to the director of the museum, exhibition records, Board of Trustees records and Guild records. Folders consist of meeting minutes, correspondence, files related to the operation of the museum, and files and photographs related to gallery exhibitions.

Historical Note

In 1947, the South Dakota General Federation of Women's Clubs voted to raise the money for an art center so the people of South Dakota would have a place to view works of art. In 1950, the Women's Clubs voted to locate the art center on the South Dakota State College campus in Brookings. Construction began on the facility in 1969 with dedication of the Memorial Art Center occurring in 1970. By 1976, the Art Center became the first museum in South Dakota to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. In 1987, in recognition of its expanded programming and role, the Board of Regents renamed the museum the South Dakota Art Museum.

It is the mission of the South Dakota Art Museum to acquire and care for works of art, which preserve the rich and varied artistic legacy of South Dakota. The tradition of giving works of art to the museum began when the Women's Club gave its collection as the new building was completed. Significant purchases of art for the museum by the university Alumni Association and the South Dakota Arts Council soon followed. Through both purchases and generous gifts, the museum has amassed a worthy permanent collection used extensively for exhibition, educational outreach and scholarly research.

The South Dakota Art Museum has galleries with works on display from the Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, Native American Tribal Art and Marghab Linen Collections. Other galleries feature temporary exhibitions representing a broad spectrum of themes, styles and media. Lectures, exhibition briefings, reception, children's programs, films and other public events round out the museum's offerings.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series:

Series 1. Director's records [UA 38.0]

Series 2. Exhibition records [UA 38.1]

Series 3. Board of Trustee records [UA 38.2]

Series 4. Guild records [UA 38.3]

Contents Note

This collection is arranged into four series: Director's Records, Exhibition Records, Board of Trustee Records and Guild Records.

Folders consist of meeting minutes, correspondence, files related to the operation of the museum, and files and photographs related to gallery exhibitions.

Series 1. Director's records. [UA 38.0]

This collection is composed of material pertaining to the South Dakota Art Museum building, fundraising, finances, publications and general material related to the operation of the museum.

The building files are composed of materials related to the original construction of the building in 1969 as well as material dealing with the addition constructed in the 1990s. Included are specifications, plans, fundraising, correspondence and events connected with the addition construction, such as the groundbreaking, and the move in preparation for construction.

The fundraising files are composed of materials related to fundraising efforts in connection with the construction of the addition to the Art Museum. Included are Board of Trustees fundraising information, and material generated by the SDSU Foundation for the Visions for the Future campaign.

The financial files are composed of budget files and accounting reports. Also included are year-end reports and inventories for the museum gift shop.

The general files are composed of accreditation materials, annual reports, materials related to collections; such as Harvey Dunn and Vera Way Marghab, materials related to events sponsored by the museum, the Jeannette Lusk Memorial Library, and the retirement tribute and reception for Joseph M. Stuart; the first director of the museum. Folders include correspondence, clippings, photographs, programs, and flyers.

The publications are composed of exhibition catalogues, materials mailed for promotion of events, brochures, pamphlets, and newsletters.

Folders are arranged in series: building files, fundraising files, financial files, general files, and publications. Folders in each series are arranged in alphabetical order.

Series 2. Exhibition records. [UA 38.1]

This collection is composed of records related to exhibitions at the South Dakota Art Museum from its inception in 1970 to 1996. These records consist of catalogues, correspondence (to artists, galleries), shipping data, insurance policies, inventories, loan agreements, artist biographies, artwork Descriptions, instructions for handling and/or mounting the works, labels, publicity, clippings, and plans for exhibit cases. A large portion of this collection consists of photographed images of artwork for incoming exhibitions as well as gallery views of the complete exhibit in the museums galleries. Slides make up a large part of these images but photographs and negatives are also included.

Folders are arranged in chronological order by fiscal year (July-June) and there under alphabetically. The opening date of the exhibition is indicated by dates in square brackets [ ]. The dates of material in the folder can be found after the opening date.

Series 3. Board of Trustee records. [UA 38.2]

The purpose of the Board of Trustees of the South Dakota Art Museum is to determine and direct the policies and programs of the museum for the cultural enrichment of the people of South Dakota. The Board of Trustees is composed twelve voting members who are residents of South Dakota. The Trustees are to recommend the general operating policies of the Museum, to approve the budget to be submitted to the Board of Regents for state funds, to approve the budgeting of all available operating funds, to participate with the President of South Dakota State University in the selection of the Director of the Museum, to make recommendations concerning the programs and activities of the Museum, to develop policies for the acceptance or works of art and other gifts, to assist in securing public understanding of the nature and activities of the Museum, and to assist in identifying means of support for the Museum.

This collection is composed mainly of meetings minutes and files on individual board members. Folders containing the meeting minutes include agendas, minutes, correspondence, and other material related directly to meetings, such as publications and reports. The files on individual board members may include biographies, clippings, and correspondence. Also included are by-laws, orientation for board members, and board of director's committee files, such as the collection committee, membership committee, special events committee, and donor recognition committee. These files include committee minutes, correspondence and other material related to meetings.

Series 4. Guild records. [UA 38.3]

The purpose of the South Dakota Art Museum Guild is to aid and promote the Museum in the community and the State, by assisting the work of the Director and the Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary organization open to all who subscribe to its purposes. Members agree to perform services for the organization as outlines in its purposes and to pay annual dues.

This collection is composed of records of the South Dakota Art Museum Guild. Folders include handbooks, by-laws, correspondence, membership lists, and guides for docents.

Key Words

General Federation of Women's Clubs of South Dakota.

South Dakota Art Museum (Brookings, S.D.)

South Dakota Memorial Art Center (Brookings, S.D.)

Container List

View container list on Open Prairie

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, 1998 May 21, additions made 2008 December 4.