Resources for organizing your archive.
Types of Materials in An Artist’s Archive
- Reference materials – books, photographs, files, clippings, sample materials, etc. that are used for inspiring or planning work.
- Process records – materials document the process of art production — making the artwork. This includes information about paints, stone, or other media; sketches; photographs of the artwork in progress or in particular settings; information about installation; etc.
- Business records – materials that document the business aspects of art production, exhibition, and sales. Business records include information about galleries or buyers, print or digital catalogs from shows, etc.
- Artwork – while “artwork” clearly includes the art object itself (in whatever form it takes), it also includes records of information about the piece, like the year of production, medium, artist statements, etc.
Helpful Resources
- CALL (Creating a Living Legacy) Resources
This site of resources helps artists’ organize, inventory, and document their artworks and careers - Artist Studio Workshop Handouts
Handouts on archiving, artwork inventories, and digital storage - Academic Productivity Tools: Store and Share
This guide provides information about digital storage and organization solutions. - A simple sample artwork inventory form
Title of Work
Inventory #
Date Created
Medium(s)
Size
Work description
Image file name
Edition
Signature location
Price
Expenses total
Date Sold
Collected by
Sold by
Notes