Preliminary Inventory of the Dept. of Art and Art History Records, 1942 - 1985

Abstract

The formal study of art at Duke began with the establishment of the Dept. of Aesthetics, Art, and Music in 1942. The department was renamed the Dept. of Art in the 1959/1960 academic year, and later renamed the Dept. of Art and Art History in 1985/1986. The Department has two distinct units, one primarily devoted to the making of works of art, the other primarily devoted to the historical understanding and current interpretation of visual images and constructed space. Records include clippings, exhibit catalogs, reports, memoranda, and other records. Subjects include the B. N. Duke lectures, the James A. Thomas Memorial Room, and exhibits. Materials range in date from circa 1942 to 1985.

Descriptive Summary

Title: Dept. of Art and Art History Records, 1942 - 1985.
Creator: Duke University. Dept. of Art and Art History.
Extent: 1.0 Linear Feet, , 1000 Items
Repository: University Archives, Duke University
Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult University Archives, Duke University.
Language: English.

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Collection Overview

Records include clippings, exhibit catalogs, reports, memoranda, and other records. Subjects include the B. N. Duke lectures, the James A. Thomas Memorial Room, and exhibits. Materials range in date from circa 1942 to 1985.

Administrative Information

Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »

Access Restrictions

Patrons must sign the Acknowledgement of Legal Responsibility and Privacy Rights form before using this collection.

Unprocessed materials are closed pending processing.

In off-site storage; 24 hours advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

Copyright for Official University records is held by Duke University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Contents of the Collection

Browse List of Series

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Container List

General information

Box 1

Memoranda

Box 1

Clippings

Box 1

B. N. Duke lectures

Box 1

Thomas Room

Box 1

Annual Requisitions

Box 1

Gallery exhibitions, 1963-1964

Box 1

Exhibitions proposed

Box 1

Exhibit catalogs

Box 2

Historical Note

The formal study of art at Duke began with the establishment of the Dept. of Aesthetics, Art, and Music in 1942, with Prof. Katherine E. Gilbert as chair. The department was renamed the Dept. of Art in the 1959/1960 academic year, and later renamed the Dept. of Art and Art History in 1985/1986.

In 2005, the Dept. of Art and Art History provided the following description of its mission: "The Department of Art & Art History, as its name implies, has two distinct yet profoundly complementary units, one primarily devoted to the making of works of art, the other primarily devoted to the historical understanding and current interpretation of visual images and constructed space ... Since 1986, the Department broadened its perspective by introducing courses in theory, methodology, and criticism; by attracting faculty specialists in African and African Diaspora, East Asian, and Latin American art histories in addition to ... European and North American art, from ancient times to [the] contemporary world; and by interacting through interdisciplinary teaching, collaborative research and symposia with other departments and programs, such as African and African-American Studies, Economics, English, Women's Studies, the Center for Documentary Studies and the Center for French and Francophone Studies." [http://www.duke.edu/web/art/welcome.html]