The Amon Carter Museum of American Art is going to be a participant in this year’s DFW Archives Bazaar and we are super excited. Art museums are unique institutions in the world of archives and we are excited to have one of the best join us. To learn more about art museums and archives, we spoke with Jon Frembling, Archivist and Reference Services Manager at the Amon Carter Museum, about the challenges of art archives and why they are so important.
What are some of the challenges of being an archivist for an art museum?
“Artists are often not focused on the historical legacy they are creating — being concerned primarily with the creative moment. They do not always keep all that one would want. The same is true of museum professionals, they create intense studies of art and artists, but often struggle with what portions of their work to preserve beyond the printed word. Both parties benefit from guidance on what constitutes documents of record.”
What do you hope people take away from the DFW Archives Bazaar?
“A greater appreciation for the historical moments captured in the records of the past. They are the tangible link to those people, places, and things that have come before us.”
Why are archives important to the museum?
“The archives of artists provide insight into the creative process. The museum’s records preserve the intellectual output of gifted scholars studying art. Together, they place the art in the context of time and place of creation.”
Learn more about The Amon Carter Museum of American Art by visiting their booth at the DFW Archives Bazaar at Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park on Sunday, October 14, 2018 from 1-5pm. See you there!