Archives of American Art

A Finding Aid to the Womanspace Gallery records, 1970-1974, in the Archives of American Art

Summary

Collection ID:
AAA.womagall
Creators:
Womanspace Gallery (Los Angeles, California)
Dates:
1970-1974
Languages:
The collection is in English.
Physical Description:
1.7 Linear feet
Repository:
The records of Womanspace Gallery, a cooperative gallery for feminist activities in Los Angeles, California, measure 1.7 linear feet and date from 1970 to 1974. The bulk of the collection consists of exhibition files. Also found are administrative files, correspondence, publishing files, financial records, printed material, and photographic material.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The records of Womanspace Gallery, a cooperative gallery for feminist activities in Los Angeles, California, measure 1.7 linear feet and date from 1970 to 1974. The bulk of the collection consists of exhibition files. Also found are administrative files, correspondence, publishing files, financial records, printed material, and photographic material.
Administrative files include personnel and volunteer records; committee files; a list of names for the Registry of Women Designers; calendars; public relations records; mailing list and guest book information; materials related to building renovations; materials related to summer courses; and notes.
Correspondence is primarily with artists and other arts organizations. Much of the correspondence in the early part of the series concerns the Registry of Women Designers.
Exhibition files include planning notes, correspondence, and loan agreements for Womanspace exhibitions. Some materials related to exhibition committees, proposals for exhibitions, and proposals for exhibitions that did not happen can be found in the administrative files.
Publishing files include materials related to the Womanspace Journal and to the Associated Women's Press.
Financial records include budget projections, billing information, cash records, donation information, and materials related to grants.
Printed material includes press releases, clippings, and printed material Womanspace sent out to membership.
Photographic material includes negatives, a contact sheet, color photographs, and slides.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged as seven series.
  • Series 1: Administrative Files, 1970-1974 (Box 1; 0.4 linear feet)
  • Series 2: Correspondence, 1972-1974 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet)
  • Series 3: Exhibition Files, 1973-1974 (Boxes 1-2; 0.3 linear feet, OV 4)
  • Series 4: Publishing Files, 1972-1974 (Box 2; 5 folders, OV 4)
  • Series 5: Financial Records, 1972-1974 (Boxes 2-3; 0.3 linear feet)
  • Series 6: Printed Material, 1973-1974 (Box 3, 3 folders, OV 4)
  • Series 7: Photographic Material, 1973-1974 (Box 3, 1 folder)

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Womanspace was a cooperatively run gallery in Los Angeles, California dedicated to showing and promoting work by female artists. It opened in January of 1973 and ran a large number of events and programs. When the Woman's Building opened its first location in late 1973, Womanspace moved in. Among its founding members were Wanda Westcoast, Max Cole, Eugenie Osmun, Gretchen Glicksman, Judy Chicago, and Lucy Adelman. The gallery closed in June 1974.

Administration

Author
Rayna Andrews
Sponsor
Funding for the processing of the collection was provided by Gerald and Bente Buck.
Existence and Location of Copies
The collection is available on 35 mm microfilm reels 1257-1259 at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The Womanspace Gallery records were donated to the Archives of American Art in January 1975 by Judy Fiskin, president of the West Coast Art Center.
Processing Information
This collection was minimally processed and a finding aid prepared by Rayna Andrews in 2017.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
This collection is temporarily closed to researchers due to archival processing and digitization. For more information, please contact Reference Services.
Preferred Citation
Womanspace Gallery records, 1970-1974. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Related Materials
The Archives of American Art also holds the Woman's Building records, 1970-1992.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Art -- Study and teaching Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Feminism and art Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women artists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Women designers Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Artist-run galleries -- California Function Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Artists -- California -- Los Angeles Occupation Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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