History of the DIA Archives
Preserving the records and documents of a major art museum is
nearly as important as preserving the art. The DIA is an
important part of Detroit history, so in 1978 the Museum
Archives and Record Center was founded to centralize records
of the museum’s activities.
Contents and Scope
The Museum Archives and Record Center houses over 1600 cubic
feet of museum records and related materials dating from 1876
to the present. Major areas of documentation include The
Founder's Society, Director's Office, Curatorial Departments,
Performing Arts, and Administrative and Service Departments.
Types of records consist mainly of administrative and
curatorial files such as minutes and correspondence, and
reports and publications of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Special materials include architectural plans and drawings,
photographs, audio and videotapes, and oral histories.
Thanks to a Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET)
digitization grant, the Detroit Museum of Art and the Detroit
Institute of Arts' Bulletins and Annual Reports have been
digitized and are now available as PDF files. Click here to
view.
