Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Westbeth Records, 1970-1978, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.westbgall
Creators:
Westbeth Gallery
Dates:
1970-1978
Languages:
The bulk of the collection is in English. Two exhibition catalogs, one written in Spanish and the other in Chinese, are also present.
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear feet
Repository:
The Westbeth records measure 0.2 linear feet and date from 1970 to 1978. The collection includes one financial report, clippings and writings about Westbeth, a resume for artist Jacques Joseph Camins, an exhibition announcement for artist Mel Fowler, two exhibition catalogs, one copy of the Westbeth newsletter (1970), and some event photographs.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The Westbeth records measure 0.2 linear feet and date from 1970 to 1978. The collection includes a financial report of the Westbeth Corporation Housing Development Fund Co., Inc.; clippings and writings about Westbeth and its artists; a resume for artist Jacques Joseph Camins and an exhibition announcement for artist Mel Fowler; two exhibition catalogs from shows of Westbeth artists, one held in China and the other in Mexico; one copy of the Westbeth newsletter (1970); and some event photographs.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Due to the small size of this collection the records are arranged as one series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Westbeth is an artists' housing complex in New York, founded in 1970. Funding for the space was initially provided by the National Council on the Arts, J.M. Kaplan Fund, Bankers Trust Company, and Federal Housing Administration. The building was home to sculptors, painters, photographers, and print-makers, as well as actors, dancers, musicians, film makers, and writers. The complex includes studio space for artists, a gallery, theatre, and commercial space. The housing complex is currently owned by Westbeth Housing Development Fund Corporation. In addition to Westbeth's tenants and features, the space is also home to the New School for Drama, The Martha Graham Center for Contemporary Dance, and Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.

Administration

Author
Christopher DeMairo
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 collection was donated 1981 by Nell Perret, a New York City painter and printmaker who lived at Westbeth.
Processing Information
The collection was processed and a finding aid prepared by Christopher DeMairo in 2022.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing 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.
Conditions Governing Access
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Preferred Citation
Westbeth records, 1970-1978. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Arts -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Artists -- Housing -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Federal aid to the arts -- New York (State) -- New York Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Artist-run galleries -- New York (State) Function Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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