Collections : [Virginia Museum of Fine Arts]

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VMFA Archives
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library
200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220-4007
Primary Collecting Areas:
VMFA institutional records, Donor papers, Virginia Artists Archives, Oral histories, Artist subject files, Analog, and digital audiovisual collections
Description:

The Margaret R. and Robert M. Freeman Library provides access to a wealth of rare and unique primary source materials for scholars, researchers, and the public.

The Archives consists of a diverse and growing collection of permanent materials, covering museum history from its beginnings in the 1930s until today. The Archives includes institutional records from over 25 museum departments, thousands of artist and subject files, as well as donated collections related to the museum and the history of art in Virginia. The Archives also recently launched the Virginia Artists Archives, a collecting initiative that aims to create a rich, diverse, and unprecedented collection of Virginia artists’ papers to increase awareness about the contributions of Virginia artists, both past and present.

POC: Roxanne Winfield
Phone: (804) 340-1497
Phone: (804) 340-1495
Start Over Repository Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Date range 1964

William and Mary College, 1950/1965 Box 33863 Box 72, Folder 38, Item RG01.01.1.3343

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- VMT and loans of objects to VMFA. Dates- 1/50 - 12/64 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

William Robert Gaines Personal Papers (SC-16), 1948/2008 0.5 Linear Feet 1 box; 5 folders

The collection documents the life of William "Bill" Robert Gaines, artist and long-time program director at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The collection is comprised of a partial manuscript of his autobiography as well as photographs, clippings, and other documents related to his career at the museum.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

Williams, Mrs. Walter A.J., 1954/1964 Box 33863 Box 73, Folder 6, Item RG01.01.1.3350

Correspondence from L. Cheek. Subject- Election to board of Trustees; Dance Society. Dates- 6/54 - 5/64 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

Willie Anne Wright Artist Archives (VA-02), 1944/2021 47 boxes 47 boxes; 724 folders

Wright, Willie Anne
The collection documents the career of renowned lensless photographer Willie Anne Wright. Wright's paintings, serigraphs and drawings were her professional focus until 1972 when pinhole photography became her primary creative medium. Comprised mainly of the exhibition files Wright maintained, as well as information about gallery representation and art sales, the collection traces the evolution of her artistic journey over four decades.
  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

X, Y, Z: General, 1949/1972 Box 33863 Box 73, Folder 22, Item RG01.01.1.3372

Correspondence from L. Cheek, J.M. Brown and P. Near. Subject- Exhibitions, loans, acquisitions, AIV, gifts, contributions. Correspondence with William Zorach, sculptor. Dates- 9/49 - 9/72 [These notes were taken by VMFA staff in the 1990s before the collection was processed by LVA staff in the 2000s, so the contents of the file may no longer match this description.]

  1. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Director's Correspondence (RG-01), 1927/2009
  3. Series 1: Director's Correspondence, 1927/2006
  4. Series 1.1: Early Directors, 1927/1976

Content Warning

ARVAS is an aggregator of archival resources. ARVAS does not have control of the descriptive language used in our members’ finding aids.

Finding aids may contain historical terms and phrases, reflecting the shared attitudes and values of the community from which they were collected, but are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical or mental ability; religion; sex; and sexual orientation and gender identity.

Many institutions and organizations are in the process of reviewing and revising their descriptive language, with the intent to describe materials in more humanizing, inclusive, and harm-reductive ways. As members revise their descriptive language, their changes will eventually be reflected in their ARVAS finding aids.