Dalhousie Art Gallery fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Dalhousie Art Gallery fonds

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  • Graphic material
  • Textual record

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Fonds

Reference code

UA-36

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Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Physical description area

Physical description

40 cm of textual records and graphic material

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Archival description area

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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

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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

    Related 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.

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    Sources

    This fonds description comes from the Dalhousie University Archives Catalog. The complete, original description is available there.

    Accession area