Archives of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The mission of the Philadelphia Museum of Art Archives is to collect, preserve, and make available non-current records of enduring value for the institution. It is the primary source of information relating to the Museum’s history, including past exhibitions, activities, events, and interactions with significant figures and organizations in the world of art. The Archives also holds records relating to affiliated organizations both past and present, such as the former 69th Street Branch Museum and the Rodin Museum, as well as several important manuscript collections that relate in some way to the institution’s history, including papers of Walter and Louise Arensberg, Marcel and Alexina Duchamp, George Grey Barnard, and other artists, collectors, and scholars. Online finding aids are available for most collections.
Finding aids
A finding aid is a descriptive guide for an archival collection. Typically, it includes information about the origin, history, content, date and format of the records, as well as the physical and intellectual arrangement imposed upon them by the archivist.
Online finding aids are available for most collections.
Access
The Archives is open in its new home in the Perelman Building from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tuesday through Friday (excluding holidays). Appointments are required.
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Microfilmed Material
The Archives has participated in a number of microfilming projects sponsored by the Archives of American Art (AAA). The microfilmed material listed here represents approximately 2% (12.5 cubic feet or 30,000 documents) of the archival collection, and is available for use in the Museum’s Library.


