Descriptive Entry

nsists of records that document the work of the Office of Curatorial Affairs (OCA) in coordinating and planning exhibitions and programs. A program documented was the colloquium co-sponsored by the National Museum of American History and the American Association of Museums (now American Alliance of Museums) on collections planning. The colloquium was a forum for representatives from a variety of museums to come together to discuss a profession-wide set of standards and best practices for collections planning. A group of 35 museums were selected from across the United States, representing both large and small institutions, with different governing authorities, at different stages in the planning process, and represented history, art, natural science, and other disciplines.

Also documented are the exhibition review process, including records from the Committee on Exhibitions and Programs (CEP), Project Review Committee (PRC), and Focus Forward. Additionally, there are records documenting the collecting plans from various departments and divisions under the purview of the Office of Curatorial Affairs. Lastly, included are the records of James B. Gardner, Associate Director of Curatorial Affairs, which document his work on exhibitions, collecting, and management.

Materials include correspondence, memoranda, policies, collection plans, meeting agendas and notes, and proposals. Some materials are in electronic format.