Every Way Possible: 125 Years of the Indianapolis Museum of Art Research Papers
contain materials relating to the research, writing, editing, and publication of the
book Every Way Possible: 125 Years of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. The
collection’s contents span the existence of the institution known as Newfields (as of
August 2017), from founding in1883 to 2008, the book’s publication year. Former
institution names include: Art Association of Indianapolis, John Herron Art Institute,
and at the time of publication, Indianapolis Museum of Art. The collection includes
notes, research papers (e.g. primary source photocopies, secondary source
photocopies, minimal primary source originals), book drafts, correspondence,
museum ephemera, and other miscellaneous research materials and media. The
project was initiated and facilitated by the Indianapolis Museum of Art in connection
with its 125th anniversary. The book itself was written by freelance writers.

The Maxwell Anderson papers, 2000-2010, contain records regarding the Indianapolis Museum of Art after Anderson officially took over as director from Anthony Hirschel. The collection contains records primarily sourced from the director’s office and documents the administrative actions of the institution from the director level. The collection is organized by subject, but the individual files are in original order with no further arrangement. Due to Anderson’s involvement with the surrounding community, researchers will find information regarding Crown Hill of value. Not all records fall within Anderson’s time as director. The collection contains records regarding Lawrence O’Conner who served as interim director between Hirschel and Anderson. There are also copies, references, or continuations of projects started by past directors that were used by Anderson.

The Wilbur David Peat Papers, 1924-1972, undated, contains records regarding the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields while under the directorship of Wilbur Peat after he took over as director from acting director Anna Hasselman. The collection contains records primarily sourced from the director’s office. It documents the administrative actions of the institution from the director level. Note that administration reorganization has taken place since these records were created. Many of the earlier papers in this collection were not originally housed in the director’s office due to the administrative setup of the institution at the time.
It is important to note that this collection extends past both Wilbur Peats's life and his final year as director in 1966. Isabel Martin, executive assistant to the director, started in 1967 and continued/finished many of the projects started under director Peat. Martin also compiled and added context to these files prior to their addition to the archives.
The series are organized by subject, but the individual files are in original order with no further arrangement. Due to Peat’s involvement with education and community, researchers will find information regarding correspondence and education of value.

The El Tendedero Indiana collection consists of one post-card sized box of community-generated response ballots to survey questions generated by Mayer. The ballots are separated into five subseries corresponding to five questions and further arranged by language (English and Spanish). The collection also includes one folder with printed ephemera and posters generated in advance of El Tendedero events around Indianapolis and an issue of the Indianapolis Recorder featuring a story about Women4Change legislative efforts. The El Tendedero Indiana collection was received with three oversize posters, a promotional t-shirt, and two red cardboard boxes which were used in the collection of community-generated response ballots; these have been (will be) photographed and deaccessioned. The collection also contains 1.8 GB digital material including digital ephemera, promotional material, and events photographs contributed by Women4Change and undated photographic documentation of past El Tendedero installations contributed by Mayer.

The Robert A. Yassin Papers, 1963-1991, undated, contains records regarding the Indianapolis Museum of Art after Yassin took over as director from Carl Weinhardt. The collection contains records primarily sourced from the director’s office and documents the administrative actions of the institution from the director level. The collection is organized by subject, but the individual files are in original order with no further arrangement. Due to Yassin’s involvement with other organizations, researchers will find correspondence of value. Not all records fall within Yassin’s time as director. The records from before 1975 are copies, references, or continuations of projects started by past directors that were used or continued by Yassin. The records from after 1990 refer to what would have been at the time, future endeavors, predictions, plans, and aspirations that were started or conducted under or by Yassin.