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.
Indianapolis Museum of ArtThe 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.
Art Association of Indianapolis, IndianaThe Bradley Brooks Papers, 1914-2008, contains records during Brooks' time working at the Indianapolis Museum of Art as the Director of Historic Properties between 2006 and 2015. While some of the records were created by Brooks himself, many of the records he collected as background information used within educational binders to aid in projects and serve as resources. Most of the records pertain to the historical houses under Brooks' care, including the Lilly House, the Miller House, and multiple other historical sites. Researchers will find information regarding the architects and oral interviews pertaining to the histories of the sites of value.
Indianapolis Museum of Art at NewfieldsThe Bret Waller Papers, 1989-2000, document Waller's tenure as director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art during the 1990s. The collection is organized by subject; materials related to collections and exhibitions, and building operations (including strategic planning) make up the bulk of the collection. Also of note are the materials related to the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund initiative that the museum received funding from to increase the diversity of its audience.
Waller, BretThe 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.
Indianapolis Museum of ArtThe Dorothy Reifel Collection on J. Ottis Adams contains primary source documents and research files about the life and times of Indiana artist J. Ottis Adams, collected by Dorothy Reifel.
Reifel, DorothyThe 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.
Mayer, Mónica, 1954-The Herron-Museum Alliance Records, 1964-1980, contains records regarding the Herron-Museum Alliance, post its creation in 1958. The collection is comprised of records produced and collected by staff. It documents the actions, initiatives, and operations of organization. The files that were originally foldered together but rehoused into new folders to assist in their preservation. Researchers will find information regarding publicity efforts and museum building plans of interest. More information regarding the Herron-Museum Alliance can be found within the IUPUI (Indiana-University-Purdue-University-Indianapolis) archives and specials collections.
Indianapolis Museum of Art at NewfieldsThe IMA Alliance Records document the philanthropic efforts of the Alliance of the Indianapolis Museum of Art over the course of more than 50 years, through multiple retail initiatives, events like the Fine Arts Ball, and other activities. As a collection of original records produced by the Alliance, it chronicles the history and inner-workings of one of the most prolific fundraising groups in the United States. The collection has been organized into eight series described below.
Indianapolis Museum of Art. AllianceThe IMA Asian Art Society (AAS) Records document the efforts of the AAS to help grow the IMA’s Asian art collection through donations and funding acquisitions. It also details the Society’s efforts to interest and educate members and the public about Asian art through lectures, speakers, and trips.
Asian Art Society (Indianapolis, Ind.)