Archives Use
archives@dma.org
(214) 922-1276
1717 N. Harwood
Dallas, TX 75201
Hours: Contact the Archivist to arrange an appointment.
Reference Services: Phone and mail reference services are available. Contact the Archivist for more information.
Registration: All researchers must register with the archives staff and present photo identification prior to use of archival materials. Confirmation of permanent residence is also required.
Hours and Accessibility: The archives is open by appointment only. Appointments should be made at least three weeks in advance to ensure the availability of the archival materials requested.
Restricted Materials: Certain institutional records are restricted by law, by office of origin, or by donor. Restricted materials may not be accessed without written permission from the donor and the Archivist. The Archivist reserves the right to restrict the use of materials that are not yet processed or arranged, as well as materials of exceptional value or fragile condition.
The Archives Research Area: No smoking, eating, or drinking allowed in the archives research area. No pens, markers, highlighters, or other writing utensils, except for pencils and papers, are allowed. The researcher may only bring pencils and/or a laptop computer into the research area. All other belongings, including coats, books, briefcases, purses, and other items will be locked away from the research area. Patrons are subject to search before departure from the archives. Researchers must request permission from the Archivist to use cameras or other photographic equipment in the archives research areas. No scanners will be permitted.
Photocopying Services: With the permission of the Archivist, some materials may be photocopied for a fee. Photocopy orders are filled by the archives staff and are processed as time permits. No researchers are permitted to make their own photocopies of archival materials. The Archivist reserves the right to refuse photocopying of rare, fragile, or oversized materials. A maximum photocopy order of 30 pages may be placed at one time. Prepayment is required. No photocopies may be further reproduced. Supplying a photocopy is not authorization to publish. Orders sent by mail will be subject to a handling charge in addition to charges for postage.
Using Archival Materials: Archival materials are rare, unique, and original and must be handled with care. They must not be marked, torn, cut, folded, leaned on, handled poorly, or otherwise damaged. Do not trace archival materials, or take notes on top of them. Never adhere post-it notes, paperclips, or other potentially harmful materials to archives. Notify staff of any items that require preservation attention. Always maintain the existing order of materials within each folder and box. Never rearrange or alter the location of archival materials. Do not separate materials from their folders. Use gloves when handling photographs or other fragile materials as directed by archives staff. Material may not be removed from the archives research area. Archival materials are never loaned and are not to leave the premises under any condition.
Requests for Materials: Researchers may request only four boxes at a time. The researcher may use only one box at a time. Remove only one folder at a time from each box.
Publishing Archival Materials: Written permission from the Archivist must be obtained before publishing archival materials. In giving permission to copy, quote from, or publish, the Archives does not surrender its own right to publish such material or to grant permission to others to do so. Archival material will not be reproduced in violation of copyright laws. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission to publish. Researchers assume full responsibility for the use of material obtained from the Archives and conformity to the law of defamation, privacy, and copyright. The researcher shall indemnify and hold harmless the DMA and the DMA Archives staff from any claims arising as a result of his or her use of the material obtained. In the event that the donors have retained literary rights to their materials, the researcher must obtain written permission from them before publication of any such material. If portions of the archives are reproduced in published or unpublished sources, citations must include: "[Collection Title, Folder Title, Box #], Archives, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas." A copy of any published work that includes materials used in the DMA Archives must be presented to the DMA Archives at no cost.