Skip to main content

Art Papers records

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.MSS942

Scope and Content

The Art Papers records summarize the activities of this Atlanta-based art-related news periodical. The conception of the paper is included with the organizational information. Minutes from various board meetings date from the late 1970s. Original formation papers illuminate how the paper came to be and other materials chronicle the evolution of the paper up to the early 1990s. Although only one (microfiche) copy of Art Papers is included in this collection, an adequate sense of the publication can be attained from the records. Advertisements needed to be generated in order for the paper to subsist. Selected examples of advertisements as well as the activities that led to the placement of these ads are included in the advertising materials. Other fund-raising events such as parties and special exhibits are documented as well. There is large amount of correspondence addressing and illuminating nearly every possible aspect of such a publication. As a non-profit publication, Art Papers devoted a lot of activity to earning and acquiring money, from both advertisers and endowments. Art Papers succeeded in acquiring both types of funds. The Art Papers' payments to contributors is an indication that the publication achieved a certain level of success. As a result of fund-raising activities, there is a substantial amount of correspondence between granting agencies, the I. R. S., and Art Papers. In 1991, Art Papers released a call for readers to contribute Mail Art, resulting in a tremendous response. With Art Papers' success came recognition from other periodicals, documented through newspaper clippings and magazine articles dating from 1979 to 1988. Another form of opinion can be found in the undated readers surveys. Video/audio tapes document various events which Art Papers was either involved or interested.

Dates

  • 1980-1992

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted through the Kenan Research Center.

Administrative/Biographical History

Art Papers began in 1976 as the four-page, typewritten newsletter of the Atlanta Art Workers Coalition, distributed to its membership of sixty working Atlanta artists. The bi-monthly tabloid format was adopted in March 1978. As the Atlanta Artworkers Coalition newspaper, the publication was freely distributed to a 1,500 name mailing list and served as the information exchange for both Atlanta and Georgia visual artists. In March 1980, Atlanta Art Papers, Inc., an independent, non-profit, tax-exempt corporation, was established with the purpose of developing a critical forum for the visual arts in Atlanta and Georgia. From this corporation came a new arts magazine Atlanta Art Papers, which included color covers with its second issue. During its first year, Atlanta Art Papers, Inc. absorbed the regional arts journal, Contemporary Arts Southeast, founded in 1975. The publication's name was changed to Art Papers, and the effort toward regional expansion in terms of arts coverage, subscription sales, and distribution began. The founding editors left Art Papers in 1984. The publication has a board of directors composed of artists, critics, gallery owners, community leaders, and art patrons. The board provides fund-raising and institutional support but all editorial decisions are made separately by the editorial staff. In 1984, Friends of Art Papers was established as a financial support network and succeeded in raising $10,000. Since then, several benefits have raised funds for Art Papers. Each issue of Art Papers is distributed to paid subscribers as well as to potential new subscribers throughout the state and region. Art Papers is for sale in museum shops, bookstores, and newsstands throughout the Southeast as well as distribution points throughout the United States.

Extent

3.2 linear ft. (seven document cases, two audio tape boxes)

Language

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift, 1993

Related Archival Materials

Visual materials have been seperated from the collection. Please contact an archivist for access to these materials.

Title
Art Papers records
Author
Laura Starratt
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040