From exhibition openings and gallery tours to lectures and symposiums, d'Harnoncourt spoke frequently on behalf of PMA and as a leading advocate and authority of the arts. This subseries reflects the group of files she maintained as a unit although variously identified over the years as "speaking engagements," "remarks," and "inside lectures." These files pertain primarily to events held at PMA, including those hosted by other organizations and corporations. Also included are files of d'Harnoncourt's comments on behalf of PMA at several events held outside the museum. Most notable are the presentation in Dresden, Germany marking the return of works of armor, the PMA historical slide lecture she gave at the Louvre, and the PMA exhibition opening in Kyoto, Japan.

It is unclear why there is almost no documentation for events at PMA from 1994 to 2000 although several events not documented here can be found in Series 1, "Names and subjects." "See references" noted below provide links to those files. Because the Museum receives funding from the city of Philadelphia, d'Harnoncourt and other staff often presented testimony to City Council. As only two of her testimonies are included here, researchers should also consult "City: Budget" files in the various subseries of Series I. While this subseries includes d'Harnoncourt's remarks at a significant number of exhibition openings held between 2005 and 2007, researchers should also consult Series II "Exhibitions" for other years, and search for "remarks" at the folder level.

Despite the gap, this group still makes evident the frequency and breadth of d'Harnoncourt's talks, her endless excitement in presenting ideas and artists to a variety of audiences, and her unflagging enthusiasm for the Museum and its city. The files vary in the amount and type of documentation. D'Harnoncourt's preparation for a talk could consist of half a page to multiple pages of handwritten comments or typed text, and/or long lists of comparative slides, or simply lists of objects or topical notations. "AMs" identifies any handwritten items; "Ts" identifies those that are typed. Many files include correspondence and other papers documenting the planning of the event and guests to be invited, as well as press releases, clippings, brochures and other ephemera. Interviews and audio tours are also included in this subseries, documented by notations of talking points and scripts. Occasionally, but infrequently, PMA staff provided d'Harnoncourt with her draft remarks.

"Various events" files pertain to speaking engagements for which there is minimal documentation--usually a list of slides and memos regarding expected attendance. For the most part, these are the regularly-scheduled events such as members' director's tours, corporate partners' luncheons, and associates' annual meetings. As with most of her records, d'Harnoncourt filed additional copies of her remarks in folders identified by venue or event name. Therefore, some duplication will also occur in Series I.