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The Benton Mural Records, 1997-2002, contains records regarding the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s assistance in the conservation of the Benton Murals, primarily the murals housed on Indiana University’s campus. The Benton Murals are a series of murals created by Thomas Hart Benton, a regionalist American painter, muralist, and printmaker from the Great Depression. A large portion of the collection consists of the file folders of paper documents. While there is a Media series, photos are also located in other series where they are relevant. The collection is comprised of records produced and collected by staff, including Martin J. Radecki, director of conservation. Many of the records were originally housed in binders and were kept in their original order. Researchers will find information regarding conservation efforts of value.

The Boards and Committees Records, 1987-2009 contains records pertaining to the various boards, committees, and organizations that have served the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. The earlier records, prior to the name change in 1969, refer to the John Herron Art Institute. However, a large portion of the records in this collection were created after 1975. A majority of the records within this collection are agendas, minutes, and notes from various meetings. Other records include correspondence, reports, rosters, and plans. Most of the meeting records are arranged in chronological order. Early records created by the Art Association, beginning in 1897, may be of particular interest.

The Conservation Records, 1970-2005, contains records regarding the conservation department of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. A large portion of the collection consists of file folders of paper documents and photographs related to conservation efforts involving both art and historical preservation. The collection is comprised of records produced and collected by staff, including Claire Hoevel and Martin J. Radecki. Many of the records were originally housed in binders. When transferred to folders, these records were kept in their original order. Researchers will find information regarding forgery investigations and the GSA Federal Courthouse Murals of value.

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 IMA Archives Exhibition Records document the planning and execution of exhibitions created by and/or held at the Art Association of Indianapolis, the John Herron Art Institute, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art starting in 1883 and continuing through the present day. This collection is ongoing, as the Indianapolis Museum of Art continues to create new exhibition records each year. Individual exhibition files may include checklists, exhibition catalogs, installation photography, correspondence, press clippings, curatorial research files, shipping, receiving, and lending records, and other documentation. A file and listing have been created for every exhibition, regardless of whether any archival material survives. File listings with "[empty]" indicate that there is no archival material available for the exhibition. Many early exhibitions do not have any surviving archival documentation. This is an ongoing project to process these exhibition records, starting with the earliest records.

This collection is comprised of posters created by and for the Indianapolis Museum of Art and its predecessor organization, the John Herron Art Institute. Most of the posters were created to be ephemeral, to advertise museum events and exhibitions. Posters for events date from 1970 to 2013 and are housed in one flat file folder. Posters for exhibitions date from 1967 to 2008 and are housed in six flat file folders. Within each folder inventory, event and exhibition posters are listed in chronological order, but are physically arranged by size, from small to large.
One flat file folder houses posters that feature accessioned items from the IMA collections. Those posters are listed and physically arranged by size, from small to large.

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.

The Trustee Records, 1944-2007, contains records regarding the trustees of the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields. The earlier records, prior to the name change in 1969, refer to the John Herron Art Institute. However, a majority of the records in this collection were created after 1975. Records within this collection include correspondence, memorandums, gift agreements, deeds, and obituaries. The arrangement is alphabetical by last name. There are multiple types of trustees represented in these records, including but not limited to, life, testamentary life, sustaining life, at large, elected, honorary, and representative trustees. Note that many of the women listed were originally listed under their husbands’ names and the documents will reflect this. Research was conducted and the names were changed within the finding aid to ensure that the female trustees received credit for their contributions.