Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Graphic material
- Textual record
Parallel title
Other title information
Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
Level of description
Repository
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
Physical description area
Physical description
40 cm of textual records and graphic material
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
Other title information of publisher's series
Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series
Numbering within publisher's series
Note on publisher's series
Archival description area
Name of creator
Administrative history
The first work of art was given to Dalhousie University in the 1830s, when Reverend Thomas McCulloch donated an engraving by John James Audubon. Other gifts and occasional exhibitions took place in the following decades and in 1943, under the presidency of Carleton W. Stanley, representatives from faculty and administration formed the University Art Group. Initially based out of a geology room in the Science Building, the group hosted exhibitions, screened films on art, and loaned its small collection of framed art reproductions to different departments. The group also joined the Maritime Art Association – the only association at the time through which the National Gallery of Canada circulated its exhibitions in the area – in its first year, with Dr. R.L. Saunders of the Anatomy Department acting as representative.
In 1952, a single room in the Arts and Administration Building came into use by the University Arts Group for exhibitions, and in October 1953 this area officially opened as the Dalhousie Art Gallery. The administration of the gallery continued to be overseen by a volunteer committee of faculty members. It was around this time that the yearly tradition of the Dalhousie Student, Staff, Faculty, and Alumni exhibition began, showcasing the artistic talents of Dalhousie-affiliated individuals. Rapid development took place in the 1950s and 1960s. Dr. M.A. Usmani of the Classics Department became honorary curator in 1963, followed by Mrs. Evelyn Holmes as Acting Curator the following year.
Later, the gallery used part of the main floor of the Killam Library for exhibition space, where it hosted two National Gallery of Canada exhibits in 1971. The gallery moved into its permanent home in the Dalhousie Arts Centre in November of the same year. The new centre afforded the gallery an expanded exhibit area for its permanent collection as well as work and storage space, enabling the gallery to meet international art gallery standards and therefore more firmly establish its reputation in Canada and abroad. From the year 1972, the Dalhousie Art Gallery has been managed by professionally-qualified directors, curators, and registrar-preparators, with the assistance of part-time staff and volunteers. An Advisory Committee of university and community members has also provided guidance to the gallery.
Despite high-quality programming and community support, the gallery has been threatened by financial difficulties and closure on a number of occasions. In 1985, after nearly closing, the University Senate formally approved the gallery as an Academic Support Unit. The gallery was again threatened with closure in 1994, but through the generous financial support of Dalhousie alumnus Dr. John Scrymgeour and his negotiations with Administration, the gallery was afforded time to formulate a strategic plan which included seeking bequests and undertaking an Endowment Fund campaign. The gallery currently enjoys stable finances, with its operating budget largely supplied by Administration and the remainder by interest from bequests and the Endowment Fund.
Matching funds were granted by the Canadian Department of Heritage's Cultural Spaces Program in 2000, which enabled the gallery to update its climate control system and continue ongoing renovations to resurface gallery walls. The gallery maintains professional standards for its facilities and for its exhibiting, collecting, and publishing and has thus been able to achieve provincial and national recognition and support, particularly from the Canada Council for the Arts. Such support enables the Dalhousie Art Gallery to continue its high-quality programming – including travelling and in-house exhibits, film screenings, presentations, lectures, panel discussions, and other events – free of charge and to act as both an academic support unit and a public art gallery for the whole community.
Custodial history
The materials were deposited at the Dalhousie University Archives in 2008. Prior to that, the records were in the custody of the Dalhousie Art Gallery. The 2008 accession was partially processed and a further accession was made in 2013. The unprocessed materials are not described in this finding aid.
Scope and content
Fonds consists of records pertaining to Dalhousie Art Gallery publicity, exhibitions, collections, openings and events, and administration. Types of materials include press releases, brochures, tickets, a poster, photographs, course information, programs, calendars, catalogues, reports, financial records, notes, correspondence, newspaper clippings, minutes and agendas, and other materials.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
Files in the Administrative records series containing salary information and personal contact information are restricted. All other materials are open for research.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Materials do not circulate and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. Materials may be under copyright. Contact departmental staff for guidance on reproduction.
Finding aids
Associated materials
Accruals
Further accruals are expected.
General note
Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Dalhousie Art Garllery fonds, UA-36, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Alternative identifier(s)
Standard number
Standard number
Access points
Subject access points
- Art Exhibitions
- Art galleries--Archives
- Artists--Nova Scotia
- Associations, institutions, etc.
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Correspondence
- Cultural Activities-Archives
- Dalhousie University--History
- Exhibition catalogs
- Financial statements
- Minutes and proceedings
- Photographs
- Programs
- Publicity
- Reports, publications, studies, and documentation
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Control area
Sources
This fonds description comes from the Dalhousie University Archives Catalog. The complete, original description is available there.