Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38) Finding Aids to the Special Collections in the VMFA Archives | Records of the Aaron Siskind Foundation SC-38 Special Collection 38 (SC-38)

Finding Aids to the Special Collections in the VMFA Archives | Records of the Aaron Siskind Foundation SC-38

Special Collection 38 (SC-38)


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Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives

Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Business Number: 804-340-1495
library@vmfa.museum
URL: https://vmfa.museum/library/special-collections-archives/

Emily Johnson, Assistant Archivist

Repository
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Archives
Identification
SC-38
Title
Records of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38) 1920-2020
URL:
https://archives.vmfa.museum/repositories/2/resources/436
Quantity
1.5 Linear Feet, 4 boxes; 16 folders
Creator
Aaron Siskind Foundation
source
Aaron Siskind Foundation
Language
English .
Abstract
The collection documents the activities of the Aaron Siskind Foundation during its years of operation, from 1984 to 2020. Aaron Siskind directed that his estate become a resource that would support contemporary photography and reward and encourage excellence in its practitioners. Since his death in 1991, the Aaron Siskind Foundation provided cash grants to individual photographic artists on a yearly basis until disbanding in 2020.

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

The collection is subject to all copyright laws. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright, beyond that allowed by fair use, requires the researcher to obtain permission of copyright holders.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Custodial History

The collection was transferred from the Registration and Curatorial departments as materials were discovered from 2020-2022.

Preferred Citation

Records of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.

Processing Information

Original folder titles were retained when provided.


Historical Note

Aaron Siskind directed that his estate become a resource that would support contemporary photography and reward and encourage excellence in its practitioners. Since his death in 1991, the Aaron Siskind Foundation provided cash grants to individual photographic artists on a yearly basis until disbanding in 2020. In addition, the Foundation worked to preserve and protect Siskind's artistic legacy, and fostered knowledge of and appreciation for his art through new books, exhibits, educational events and scholarly research.

Source: Aaron Siskind Foundation collection by the Center for Creative Photography at The University of Arizona

Scope and Contents

The collection documents the activities of the Aaron Siskind Foundation during its years of operation, from 1984 to 2020, and includes copies of Aaron Siskind's written works from the Center for Creative Photography and several original photographs by Siskind. Works in the collection include information on the organization's founding, bylaws, and art management, among other topics of interest. The collection's inclusive dates are 1920 to 2020. This collection contains articles, contact sheets, contracts, correspondence, media, photographs, printed materials, and reports.

Arrangement

The collection is organized into 2 series, and items are generally arranged chronologically within each series. Items with no date are generally placed at the end of each series.

Series 1
Aaron Siskind, 1920-2020
Series 2
Aaron Siskind Foundation, 1983-2019

Related Material

Aaron Siskind Foundation collection at the Center for Creative Photography at The University of Arizona

Aaron Siskind archive at the Center for Creative Photography at The University of Arizona

Aaron Siskind papers, 1967-1977 at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art

Aaron Siskind photographs of Harlem, circa 1932-1941 at the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Duke University

Guide to the Aaron Siskind photographs M2582 at the Online Archive of California

Subjects and Indexing Terms


General

The Records of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38) represent part of the signifiant 2020 gift of over 8,000 photographs donated by the Foundation to VMFA. For further details on this gift, please refer to the museum's press release .

Existence and Location of Originals

Originals of photocopied print materials are located at the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona.


Related Materials - VMFA Library: Catalogs

The VMFA Library possesses a large collection of Aaron Siskind catalogs made searchable on Pandora . A sample of titles from this collection can be found below.

Aaron Siskind : mid-century modern First edition
Aaron Siskind : another photographic reality First edition.
Aaron Siskind
Aaron Siskind and Louis Sullivan : the Institute of Design Photo Section Project 1st ed.
Aaron Siskind : order with the tensions continuing
Interior drama : Aaron Siskind's photographs of the 1940s
Aaron Siskind 100 1st ed.
Aaron Siskind : the fragmentation of language
Aaron Siskind : toward a personal vision 1935-1955
Harlem photographs, 1932-1940
Bucks County : photographs of early architecture

Related Materials - VMFA Library: Exhibition Files

Exhibition file : Aaron Siskind and abstract photography of the 1950s and 60s : miscellaneous uncataloged material
Exhibition file : Photographs by Aaron Siskind : miscellaneous uncataloged material

Related Materials - VMFA Library: Artist File

Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged material

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1: Aaron Siskind
2 boxes 2 boxes; 7 folders
1920-2020
Scope and Contents

This series contains essays, printed material, and photographs documenting the life and art of Aaron Siskind. Additionally, the series contains photocopies of original print materials held by the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona.

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Series 2: Aaron Siskind Foundation
3 boxes 3 boxes; 9 folders
1983-2019
Scope and Contents

This series contains the correspondence, legal documents, and media of the Aaron Siskind Foundation. Materials within document the establishment of the foundation, its functions, and its dissolution.

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