Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Howard Somers Conant Papers, 1944-1987, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.conahowa
Creators:
Conant, Howard
Dates:
1944-1987
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3.2 Linear feet
Repository:
The papers of art educator and painter Howard Somers Conant measure 3.2 linear feet and date from 1944 to 1987. The papers document Conant's career as an art educator through correspondence with friends and colleagues; draft manuscripts, lectures, and other writings; newsletters, copies of published books, and other printed materials; and seventy-four sound recordings of interviews, lectures, and panel discussions that Conant took part in during the 1960s.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The papers of art educator and painter Howard Somers Conant measure 3.2 linear feet and date from 1944 to 1987. The papers document Conant's career as an art educator through correspondence with friends and colleagues; draft manuscripts, lectures, and other writings; newsletters, copies of published books, and other printed materials; and seventy-four sound recordings of interviews, lectures, and panel discussions that Conant took part in during the 1960s.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into four series
  • Series 1: Correspondence, 1944-1987 (0.2 linear feet; Box1)
  • Series 2: Writings, 1944-1985 (0.5 linear feet; Box 1)
  • Series 3: Printed Material, 1953-1987 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)
  • Series 4: Interviews and Lectures, 1951-1968 (2.3 linear feet; Boxes 1-4)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Howard Somers Conant (1921-2011) was an art educator and a painter who served as Chair of the Art Department of New York University from 1955 to 1976. He also served as head of the Department of Art at the University of Arizona. He had a noteworthy career in art education diplomacy abroad, and received the prestigious 25th Anniversary Medal for Distinguished Service to Education in Art, bestowed upon him by Lady Bird Johnson. Conant also pioneered one of the first children's television programs, "Fun to Learn about Art," on WBEN Buffalo.

Administration

Author
Ricky Gomez
Sponsor
The processing of this collection received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care and Preservation Fund, administered by the National Collections Program and the Smithsonian Collections Advisory Committee.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Howard Somers Conant papers were donated to the Archives of American Art by Howard Somers Conant between 1978 and 1989.
Processing Information
The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2019.
Existence and Location of Copies
Some of the sound recordings in this collection have been copied for research access and digital copies are available in the Archives of American Art offices.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Preferred Citation
Howard Somers Conant papers, 1944-1987. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Sound recordings Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painters -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Art teachers -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Educators -- New York (State) -- New York Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lectures Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Panel discussions Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New York University Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives of American Art
750 9th Street, NW
Victor Building, Suite 2200
Washington, D.C. 20001
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-7950
https://www.aaa.si.edu/services/questions