Commission Records, 1908-2017
Usage Conditions Apply
The Smithsonian Institution Archives welcomes personal and educational use of its collections unless otherwise noted. For commercial uses, please contact photos@si.edu.Summary
The National Gallery of Art Advisory Committee, consisting of several artists and art representatives, was formed in 1908 to assist the Gallery with management and acquisition decisions. When the NGA became a separate bureau of the Smithsonian Institution in 1920, the Committee changed its name to the National Gallery of Art Commission; and when it became the National Collection of Fine Arts, the group became known as the Smithsonian Gallery of Art Commission. More recently it has been known as the National Museum of American Art Commission and the Smithsonian American Art Museum Commission. Directors' tenures represented in these materials include William Henry Holmes, 1907-1932; Ruel P. Tolman, Acting Director, 1932-1945, and Director, 1946-1948; Thomas M. Beggs, 1948-1964; David W. Scott, 1965-1969; Robert Tyler Davis (interim), 1969; Joshua Charles Taylor, 1970-1981; Harry Lowe (acting), 1981-1982; and Charles C. Eldredge, 1982-1988; Elizabeth Broun, 1989-2016. Materials include correspondence, memoranda, meeting agendas and minutes, reports, biographies, by-laws, schedules of events, invitations, brochures, presentations, images, notes, clippings, and other related materials. Some materials are in electronic format.
Subject
- Eldredge, Charles C
- Lowe, Harry 1922-
- Taylor, Joshua C (Joshua Charles) 1917-1981
- Davis, Robert Tyler
- Scott, David W. 1916-
- Beggs, Thomas M
- Tolman, Ruel P (Ruel Pardee) 1878-1954
- Holmes, William Henry 1846-1933
- Broun, Elizabeth
- National Gallery of Art (U.S. : 1906-1937)
- National Collection of Fine Arts (U.S.) Office of the Director
- National Museum of American Art (U.S.) Office of the Director
Category
Series Level Description
Notes
- To view records that comprise this series, see the detailed list of accessions and/or record units below.
- For a history of the creating unit, refer to "Forms part of" above.
Organization
Chronologic and unarranged
Repository Loc.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Capital Gallery, Suite 3000, MRC 507; 600 Maryland Avenue, SW; Washington, DC 20024-2520
Date
- 1908
- 1908-2017
Restrictions & Rights
Materials less than 15 years old Restricted. Contact reference staff for details
Topic
- Art museums
- Advisory boards
- Museums
- Museums--Administration
- Art museum directors
Form/Genre
- Manuscripts
- Electronic records
- Compact discs
- Black-and-white photographs
- Color photographs
- Clippings
- Brochures
Local number
SIA RS00818
Physical description
- 3.67 cu. ft. processed holdings
- 6 cu. ft. unprocessed holdings