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 Library200 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
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
- Aaron Siskind Foundation
- Aaron Siskind Foundation
- Nonprofit organizations
- Photography, Abstract
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 editionAaron 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 materialExhibition file : Photographs by Aaron Siskind : miscellaneous uncataloged material
Related Materials - VMFA Library: Artist File
Artist file : miscellaneous uncataloged materialContainer List
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.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Biographical Materials1 folder1973Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document Siskind's life and career.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Select Copies from "Writings" Series 3 from CCP Archives1 foldercirca 1920s-1950sScope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document Aaron Siskind's writings.
Existence and Location of OriginalsOriginals of photocopied print materials are located at the Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona .
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
"Treasures of American Modern Photography: The Gilbert Collection," Fujifilm Square1 folder2018Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document the 2018 Fujifilm Square exhibition, "Treasures of American Modern Photography: The Gilbert Collection."
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
"Beyond the Frame: Aaron Siskind Photographs," Museum of Photographic Arts1 folder2020Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document the 2020 Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) exhibition, "Beyond the Frame: Aaron Siskind Photographs."
-
Photographic Materials1 box1939-1940Scope and Contents
This file contains photographic materials that document the work of Aaron Siskind.
- Mixed Materials Oversize: SC-38 Box 2
[Envelope], ASF 21148Aaron Siskind Foundation1 itemundatedEnvelope
- Mixed Materials Oversize: SC-38 Box 2
[Contact sheet of children outdoors], ASF 2013127Siskind, Aaron, 1903-19911 itemundatedContact sheetConditions Governing Use
In Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Preferred CitationRecords of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Oversize: SC-38 Box 2
[Photograph of Rockefeller Town House], ASF 2013205Siskind, Aaron, 1903-19911 item1939-1940Black-and-white print (photograph). Annotated verso reads: "at the Rockefeller Town House (N.Y.C.) (1939 or 1940) photographed for ArtNews Aaron Siskind ASF 2013205"Conditions Governing Use
In Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Preferred CitationRecords of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Oversize: SC-38 Box 2
[Photograph of an Aaron Siskind exhibition], ASF 20130841 itemundatedBlack-and-white print (photograph)Conditions Governing Use
In Copyright: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Preferred CitationRecords of the Aaron Siskind Foundation (SC-38). VMFA Archives, Richmond, Virginia.
- Mixed Materials Oversize: SC-38 Box 2
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.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Art Sales1 folder1983-2017Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document sales of Aaron Siskind's artwork.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Aaron Siskind Will1 folder1984-1992Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document the creation of the Aaron Siskind Foundation through terms outlined in Siskind's will and in meetings with him.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Gifts1 folder1987-2019Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document gifts made by the Aaron Siskind Foundation to artists and institutions.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Copyright1 folder1993-2011Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document copyright assignments made by the Aaron Siskind Foundation and copyright requests made to the Foundation.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Government Financial Records1 folder1993-2011Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials that document the federal and state tax status of the Aaron Siskind Foundation.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1 Computer Disks RG-26 Box Disk-01 Computer Disks RG-26 Box Disk-08
Art Management3 boxes 3 boxes; 1 folder2003-2009Scope and Contents
This file contains print materials and CD's that document the Aaron Siskind Foundation's organization system for Siskind works in their care.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Pricing Reports1 folder2008-2009Scope and Contents
This file contains pricing reports for Siskind artworks.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws1 folderundatedScope and Contents
This file contains the articles of incorporation and bylaws for the Aaron Siskind Foundation.
- Mixed Materials SC-38 Box 1
Mission Statement1 folderundatedScope and Contents
This file contains the mission statement of the Aaron Siskind Foundation.