Due to the small size of the collection, the records are arranged as one series.
Access Note / Rights:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Summary:
The records of the Boston Visual Artists Union measure 0.6 linear feet and date from circa 1970-1978. The collection documents the aspirations, activities, and achievements of the Union from the it's inception in 1970 to 1978, through organizational records such as by-laws, membership lists, and statements of purpose, printed material including exhibition announcements, catalogs, and detailed newsletters, press releases, testimonials of members, and records and photographs of the Second American Artists Congress which was hosted by the Union in 1975.
Citation:
Boston Visual Artists Union records, circa 1970-1978. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Use Note:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biography Note:
The Boston Visual Artists Union was founded in 1970 to foster a community of visual artists working in various media, provide support to artists through exhibitions and varied services, and facilitate interactions with the public and access to opportunities.
The Boston Visual Artists Union evolved during the winter of 1970-1971 from an informal meeting of artists dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities available to them in Boston. The first exhibition of the Union was held in November, 1971, at Boston City Hall and the organization was incorporated in October 1972. In January 1974 the Union moved to 3 Center Plaza and opened a gallery. By 1975 it had a peak membership of 1,000 and was the largest organization of individual artists in the United States. The Union relocated again in 1978 to 77 North Washington Street, Boston.
In addition to exhibitions and other art programs the Boston Visual Artists Union published a newsletter, assisted artists with housing and studio space, operated a job bank, a slide registry, and a federal credit union, and hosted the second American Artists Congress in November 1975 where the primary issue was "survival of the visual artist in the 70's."
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
The records were donated by the Boston Visual Artists Union in 1980.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
