Director's Office Records of David Brooke, 1980-1994

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute:

A Guide to the Director's Office Records of David Brooke, 1969-1994

Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Library
225 South Street
Williamstown, MA, 01267
413-458-0532
library@clarkart.edu

March 31, 2009, March 26, 2012

Arrangement of the Records

Scope and Contents of the Records

This series contains records from the Director's Office created during the tenure of David S. Brooke, the third director of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. The majority of the records are addressed to or from Brooke, but several files include material created by other members of the staff such as department assistants and members of the curatorial department. Similarly, the majority of the files were created between 1980 and 1994, when Brooke served as director, but there are a few files with records spanning back to the late 60s.

The largest portion of these records contains general museum correspondence from 1980-1993. These are mostly short letters from Brooke responding to messages from museum visitors or conducting small business matters such as mailing notes of thanks and honorariums to speakers. Other types of records found in this series include accreditation material from the American Association of Museums, attendance and sales statistics from 1990-1994, correspondence and planning material for band concerts, exhibitions and special events, curatorial meeting records from 1980-1994, and several subsets of correspondence such as loan requests, inquiries, and gifts offered.

Additional materials were transferred from the Director's Office in April 2011 which include correspondence from individuals and art dealers concerning potential acquisitions. Other materials include files on policies, issues, the library, Stone Hill Center and the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.

In July 2011 additional materials were transferred from the Director's Office. These records include: records of correspondence from individuals and art dealers, along with other records on policies, issues, the library, Stone Hill Center and the Williamstown Art Conservation Center.

These records are differentiated from the Records and Papers of David Brooke in that this series was organized and housed in the Director's Office and concerns routine departmental matters whereas the Records and Papers of David Brooke were kept by Brooke after his retirement and relate more to his personal interests and research.

History of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute

In 1950 Sterling and Francine Clark chartered the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as a home for their extensive art collection. Opened to public in 1955, the Institute has built upon this extraordinary group of works to become one of the most beloved and respected art museums in the world, known for its intimate galleries and stunning natural environment. One of the few institutions in the United States that combines a public art museum with a complement of research and academic programs, including a major art history library, the Clark is now a leading international center for research and discussion on the nature of art and art history. Building upon the founders' legacy, the Institute has recently unveiled its master plan for the twenty-first century, which fosters the Clark's commitment to providing space for its expanding research and museum programs while maintaining the unique character of its beautiful rural setting.

Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

This material is currently restricted.

Restrictions on Use

This material is currently restricted.

Administrative Information

Custodial History

These records were transferred to Storage A sometime after 1994. April 2011 Accrual transferred from the Director's Office. July 2011 Accrual was transferred from the Director's Office by Janet Thompson.

Preferred Citation

[Cite the item (as appropriate)], Director's Office Records of David Brooke, 1980-1994, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Records, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts.

Acquisition Information

These records were accessioned from Storage A in February, 2008.

Processing Information

These records were processed in February 2008. Staples were removed, newspapers were photocopied on acid-free paper and the records were rehoused in acid-free folders.

Includes April 2011 accrual transferred from the Director's Office by Carly Ameen, Intern in Director's Office.

The July 2011 accrual is not fully processed and the arrangement has not been altered; files remain in their original folders, but the folders were rehoused in acid-free boxes.

Related Material

Related or similar material can be found in the following series in the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute Archives, Williamstown, Massachusetts: Records and Papers of David S. Brooke; Director's Office Records of Exhibitions; Director's Office 1955-1977; Records of John H. Brooks; Director's Office Records of Trustees' Meetings; Director's Office Records of Receptions, Events, and Lectures; Historical Records from the Director's Vault, 1950-1994; Institutional Oral Histories; Photographs Separated from the Records of the Director's Office; Curatorial Office Records of Jennifer Lovett; Curatorial Office Records of Lisa A. Jolin; Curatorial Office Records of Stephen Kern; Curatorial Office Records of the American Paintings Catalogue; Curatorial Office Records of Charles Cunningham; Curatorial Office Records of Prints and Drawings Department; and Curatorial Records of Exhibition Planning.

Separated Material

Some records created after 1994 were returned to the Director's Office to be filed with the papers of the current director.