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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Record Unit 456

National Museum of American Art. Office of Educational Programs

Program Records, circa 1968-1991, with materials dating from 1920

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:National Museum of American Art. Office of Educational Programs
Title:Program Records
Dates:circa 1968-1991, with materials dating from 1920
Quantity:12.5 cu. ft. (12 record storage boxes) (1 document box)
Collection:Record Unit 456
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This record unit consists of files concerning the administration of Educational Programs under the various heads of that Office. Records include monthly calendars and scrapbooks of the docent program, information on exhibitions, records of the "National Survey of Accessibility in Museums in the United States," and a photograph album of artist Alma Thomas. Other records pertaining to the Survey can be found in Record Unit 504.

Historical Note

The Office of Educational Programs had its origins in the Office of Museum Programs, established in 1968 to coordinate the activities of the Junior Museum, the docent program, the publication of postcards, and other events to educate the public. Susan Sollins, who held the title of Visual Information Specialist, was placed in charge of the Office and given the title of Chief in 1970. When she departed in 1970, her duties were transferred to the Department of Education, where Darrel Sewell was named Associate Curator of Education in 1970. He served as Curator of Education, 1971-1972. His successor was Peter Bermingham, who held the title 1973-1978.

Bermingham was succeeded by Barbara Shissler (from 1980, Barbara Shissler Nosanow). She served as Curator of Education 1979-1982. From 1983 to 1984, Nosanow's title was Assistant Director, Programs. In 1985 her title changed again to Assistant Director, Museum Programs. She remained in the office until her departure in 1988 when Judith O'Sullivan was named Acting Assistant Director, Museum Programs. In 1989 James W. Volkert became Acting Assistant Director, Museum Programs. In 1990 the name of the Office was changed to the Office of Educational Programs. Nora Panzer was appointed Acting Chief and held the position, 1990- .

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Descriptive Entry

These records consist of files concerning the administration of the office, including monthly calendars and scrapbooks of the docent program, information on exhibitions, the records of the "National Survey of Accessibility in Museums in the United States," and a photograph album of artist Alma Thomas.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 456, National Museum of American Art. Office of Educational Programs, Program Records

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Container List

Box 1

National Museum of American Art (NMAA) Docent Scrapbooks

1979-1980

Box 1 of 15

1980, 1981-1982

Box 1 of 15

1982-1983

Box 1 of 15

1983-1984

Box 1 of 15

Alma Thomas Scrapbook

Box 1 of 15

Box 2

Brochures from Other Museums

Box 2 of 15

Annual Reports

Box 2 of 15

Walk-In Sheets

Box 2 of 15

Statistics

Box 2 of 15

NMAA Docent Time Sheets

Box 2 of 15

Letters Received

Box 2 of 15

Correspondence

Box 2 of 15

The West as America Exhibition, 15 March-28 July 1991

Box 2 of 15

Hemphill Information

Box 2 of 15

A. Rockefeller Exhibition, 12 November-18 February 1990

Box 2 of 15

Docent Seminar Papers, 1988

Box 2 of 15

Seminar Papers, 1986-1988

Box 2 of 15

NMAA Docent Group Picture, 1988-1989

Box 2 of 15

Photographs

Box 2 of 15

Box 3

NMAA Docent Trip Files, 1979-1983

Box 3 of 15

Docent Monthly Calendars, 1983-1986; Renwick Historical Notes for Docent Tours; Photographs from Architectural Day, 1980; and Photographs from Family Day, East Meets West, 1981, and the Gene Davis Photo Album, 1920-1982.

Box 3 of 15

Box 4

Records pertaining to the national survey of American museums. These include survey on the accessibility of museums for the handicapped; resources and projections for accessibility; survey of museum practices and services; and case studies survey of programs, exhibits, and architectural features designed to make museums more accessible and enjoyable. Also includes material received from museums being surveyed, such as schedules of events, newsletters, financial statements, list of tour guidelines, photographs and slides, volunteer handbooks, annual reports, brochures, outlines of collections, emergency procedure guides, and examples of museum guides written in braille.

Survey Numbers 1-169

Box 4 of 15

Box 5

Survey Numbers 170-347.1

Box 5 of 15

Box 6

Survey Numbers 347.2-649

Box 6 of 15

Box 7

Survey Numbers 650-1159

Box 7 of 15

Box 8

Survey Numbers 1160-1329

Box 8 of 15

Box 9

Survey Numbers 1330-1579

Box 9 of 15

Box 10

Survey Numbers 1580-1869

Box 10 of 15

Box 11

Survey Numbers 1870-99912 and Unnumbered

Box 11 of 15

Box 12

[No Longer Exists]

Box 12 of 15

Box 13

Research Opportunity Fund Proposals, FY 1988-1989

Box 13 of 15

Conference Attendance/Research Opportunities Fund (ROF)

Box 13 of 15

Smithson Society Grants, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Columbia Historical Society, 1985

Box 13 of 15

Kellogg Project: Feuerstein/Margo Del Vecchio, 1985

Box 13 of 15

Narrative Reports: Grants, Trust Funds, Funding

Box 13 of 15

Fundraising: Development Report, FY 1988

Box 13 of 15

Development Committee: Funding Projects

Box 13 of 15

Trust Fund: In Search of Black Mountain; Bill Rose Foundation; New Films on American Themes

Box 13 of 15

Abstract and Situation Analysis, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Trust Fund: Budgets, 1988 and 1989; Prospectus, 1989-1993

Box 13 of 15

Exhibitions: Schedules

Box 13 of 15

Exhibition Production Meetings, 1988-1989

Box 13 of 15

Exhibition Advisory Meetings, 1988-1989

Box 13 of 15

Exhibition Development: James Volkert

Box 13 of 15

Exhibition Budget Reductions: 3-Year Plan

Box 13 of 15

Exhibition Installation Procedures, 1986

Box 13 of 15

Museum Resources Division: Registrar (Johnston, Kroning, Fenn)

Box 13 of 15

Research Support: Rights and Reproduction of Photographs and Slides

Box 13 of 15

Library: Space Planning (Cecilia Chin)

Box 13 of 15

Office of Research and Support: Juley Collection

Box 13 of 15

Curatorial: Conservation

Box 13 of 15

Curatorial: Research and Fellowships

Box 13 of 15

Smithsonian Fellows and Visiting Scholars at NMAA

Box 13 of 15

Chief Curator: (Acting) Richard Murry

Box 13 of 15

Organizational Chart, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Museum Reorganization, 1990

Box 13 of 15

NMAA Restoration and Renovation, 1987

Box 13 of 15

NMAA Property Pass Authorization, 1987

Box 13 of 15

NMAA Commission Members

Box 13 of 15

African-American Museum: Report, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Financial Statements, 1988

Box 13 of 15

Charles Campbell: Safety Specialist

Box 13 of 15

Elizabeth Broun: Acting Director, 1988

Box 13 of 15

Personnel: Ann Rubin

Box 13 of 15

Virginia Tate, 1987

Box 13 of 15

Design and Production: Chief, 1985

Box 13 of 15

Correspondence, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Budget, Volunteers, and Docents, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Financial Transactions, FY 1989

Box 13 of 15

Financial Transaction Forms: Monthly Printouts, FY 1989

Box 13 of 15

Budget Call, FY 1989

Box 13 of 15

Jim Volkert: Acting Assistant Director for Museum Programs, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Personnel: Alison Abelson, 1985

Box 13 of 15

Federal Budget: Collections Management, 1989

Box 13 of 15

Priority Call and Planning, FY 1987-1988

Box 13 of 15

Trust Fund Indirect Cost Rates, FY 1988

Box 13 of 15

Trust Funds: Balances, FY 1987-1989

Box 13 of 15

Mid-Year Balances: Budget, FY 1988

Box 13 of 15

Judith O'Sullivan - Acting Assistant Director

Box 13 of 15

Design & Production Projects, 1987

Box 13 of 15

Budget, 1988-1989

Box 13 of 15

Design & Production Projects, 1985

Box 13 of 15

Mid Year Budget Report, 1987

Box 13 of 15

Budget: Remainder of, 1986/Other

Box 13 of 15

NMAA Budget, FY 1988

Box 13 of 15

Long Range Plan for Fundraising

Box 13 of 15

Leave of Absence Barbara Nosanow

Box 13 of 15

Barbara Nosanow Personnel

Box 13 of 15

Public Programs Renwick

Box 13 of 15

AAM

Box 13 of 15

Budget, FY 1986

Box 13 of 15

Acting Assistant Director for Museum Resources

Box 13 of 15

Construction - Renwick

Box 13 of 15

CAA File San Francisco, FY 1986

Box 13 of 15

AAM Program Proposal

Box 13 of 15

Budget Sheets, FY 1989

Box 13 of 15

Office of Design & Production - Jim Volkert

Box 13 of 15
Interpretation Forum
Projects, 1989
Permanent Collections Enhancements
Security in the Galleries
Jim Volkert Personnel
Remaining Balances, FY 1988
Priorities List (office's progress/museum programs), 1989
Fundraising Report, 7 August 1987
Budget - Renwick, FY 1987
Contributions, FY 1984

Box 14

[No Longer Exists]

Box 14 of 15

Box 15

Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation, 1965-1985 (CARA)

Box 15 of 15

Docents Art Study to France, 16-30 October 1989

Box 15 of 15

Gene Davis Exhibition: Interactive Space Workshops, 27 February-17 May 1987

Box 15 of 15

New England Adventure, 3-7 June 1986

Box 15 of 15

Photography of Invention: American Pictures of the 1980s, 28 April-13 August 1989

Box 15 of 15

Lets Go newsletters

Box 15 of 15

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