Archival Research Resources

The collection comprises approximately 1,200 linear feet of historical documents; 100,000 historical photographs; 600 sound recordings; 1,000 video recordings; and 1,500 architectural drawings and blueprints.

Institutional Records
The DMA Archives is the official repository for records of enduring value created by museum staff in the course of official business. Institutional records kept in the archives include the non-current files of the following departments: Curatorial, Director's Office, Development and Membership, Marketing and External Services, Registrar's Office, Education and Public Programs, and Security and Operations. Types of records kept in the archives include, but are not limited to, exhibition records, museum by-laws, policies and procedures, correspondence, historical photographs and documents, audio and video recordings, architectural drawings and blueprints, scrapbooks, printed material, and ephemera. Certain institutional records are restricted by law due to their confidential nature. Individuals possessing historical records that relate to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, the Dallas Museum for Contemporary Arts, and the Dallas Art Association are encouraged to donate items to the DMA Archives.

Special Collections
In addition to institutional records, the archives holds records that document the local arts community and/or relate to the objects in the permanent art collection of the DMA. Some of the special collections maintained by the archives include:
· Dallas Museum for Contemporary Arts (DMCA) Records
· Dallas Women's Gallery (DWG) Records
· The John and Nora Wise Papers on Pre-Columbian Art
· The Edmund Kahn Papers on Charles Sheeler
· The Wendy and Emery Reves Papers

Oral Histories
The archives collects and maintains oral history interviews with people who have actively participated in the history of the DMA. Transcripts of unrestricted interviews are available to the public upon request. For a current list of the interviews that are available, contact the Archivist.