Chaloner Prize Foundation records
name: label: Creator
content: Chaloner Prize Foundation
label: Names
content: Chaloner, John Armstrong
label: Names
content: Dows, Olin, 1904-1981
label: Names
content: French, S. LeRoy
label: Names
content: Lewis, George F.
label: Names
content: Parker, Lawton, 1868-1954
label: Names
content: Platt, Charles A. (Charles Adams), 1861-1933
label: Names
content: Platt, William, 1897-1984
label: Names
content: Rand, Robert
label: Names
content: Rand, William
topic: label: Topic
content: Art -- Scholarships, fellowships, etc
label: Topic
content: Art -- Competitions
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: The collection was donated in 1982 by the American Academy in Rome, along with their records. During the processing of the Academy's records, it was determined that the Chaloner Prize Foundation records were a separate entity, and the collection was separated from the Academy records.
creator: label: Creator
content: Chaloner Prize Foundation
setName: label: See more items in
content: Chaloner Prize Foundation records
abstract: label: Summary
content: The records of Chaloner Prize Foundation measure 4.0 linear feet and date from 1915 to 1974. The records consist of the files of the two Secretaries, George F. Lewis and S. LeRoy French, and four of the Trustees, Charles Platt, William Rand, Olin Dows, and William Platt. Included within these records are correspondence, lists, files on award recipients, and three scrapbooks maintained by Dows. Also found within the collection are legal records, printed material, and financial records.
bioghist: label: Historical Note
content: The Chaloner Prize Foundation was founded in 1890 by John Armstrong Chaloner in New York, NY, for the purpose of granting awards to individual artists for study of art in Paris. Initially known as the "Paris Prize Fund," held by the United States Trust Company of New York, the fund relied on contributions from art patrons such as Henry and Arthur Astor Carey. Due to personal troubles Chaloner could not manage the account and passed power of attorney to others. By 1917 the Trust had made only two grants. That year Chaloner brough suit against Bankers Trust Company and "others" in order to incorporate the foundation. The subsequent legal judgement by the New York State Supreme Court created the grant-administering institution.

Following the 1917 reorganization, the Foundation's first award for Paris Prize was $4,800 plus travel expenses to John Ferris Connah for five years (1921-1926). Subsequent awards were $6,000 with grantees selected every other year. With the beginning of World War II, Europe was not longer a secure place for visiting artists, and the 1939 and 1940 award recipients studied in Mexico. No further grants were given until 1948.

Lawton S. Parker, Charles A. Platt, and William Rand, Jr. were appointed to the first board of trustees. George F. Lewis was appointed as Foundation clerk. He maintained correspondence, set up board meetings, and communicated with artists as needed. When Charles Platt and William Rand, Jr. died in the early 1930s, they were succeeded by their sons, William Platt and Robert Rand. Shortly after Lewis resigned in 1938, S. LeRoy French secretary.

In 1969 national legislation regarding tax-exempt foundations made the future increasingly uncertain for trusts like the Chaloner Prize Foundation. In 1973 a final grant was made to the American Academy in Rome to be used for a fellowship in sculpture. In 1974 the foundation was dissolved and all assets and records were transferred to the American Academy in Rome.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 4 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1915-1974
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.chalpriz
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Legal records
label: Type
content: Drafts (documents)
label: Type
content: Scrapbooks
label: Type
content: Photographs
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is arranged as # series:

Series 1: Secretaries' Files, 1916-1974 (Box 1-2; 1.6 linear feet)

Series 2: Trustees' Files, 1915-1974 (Box 2-4; 1.6)

Series 3: Legal Records, 1917-1974 (Box 4; 0.3 linear feet)

Series 4: Printed Material, 1919-1971 (Box 4; 8 folders)

Series 5: Financial Records, 1917-1967 (Box 4; 0.3 linear feet)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was processed in 1999 by Camille Larson.
altformavail: label: Alternative Forms Available
content: The collection is available on 35 mm microfilm reels 5664-5669 at Archives of American Art offices, and through interlibrary loan. Researchers should note that the arrangement of the material described in the container inventory does not reflect the arrangement of the collection on microfilm.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Legal records
label: Genre/Form
content: Drafts (documents)
label: Genre/Form
content: Scrapbooks
label: Genre/Form
content: Photographs
scopecontent: label: Scope and Content Note
content: The records of Chaloner Prize Foundation measure 4.0 linear feet and date from 1915 to 1974. The records consist of the files of the two Secretaries, George F. Lewis and S. LeRoy French, and four of the Trustees, Charles Platt, William Rand, Olin Dows, and William Platt. Included within these records are correspondence, lists, files on award recipients, and three scrapbooks maintained by Dows. Also found within the collection are legal records, printed material, and financial records.

 The Secretaries' Files contain backgroundpapers and photographs of John Chaloner's home in Virginia. Early correspondence includes letters from John Chaloner to Foundation officials on a variety of issues concerning his personal history and legal battles, personal perceptions regarding jurying and applicants, as well as observations about award amounts and duration of grants. Correspondence informed trustees of business transactions, legal matters, and awardee activities. Also found in this series are examples of competition circulars for other organizations, distribution lists, and rough drafts for the Paris Prize announcements.

 Trustees' files are composed primarily of the records of William Platt, but include earlier minutes and bylaws. Within the correspondence are letters and telegrams to awardees. Of particular note are scrapbooks compiled by Trustee Olin Dows on the history of grants, covering activities between 1917 and 1960. A few correspondence files from Lawton Parker, Charles Platt and William and Robert Rand can be found here as well.

 Legal records document the New York Supreme Court Judgment of 1917 and the transfer of assets to the American Academy in Rome. Printed material includes a poster; applications, notices, regulations and conditions for prizes; booklets on the activities of the Foundation; and information from other artist organizations. Financial records contain documentation on early expenses and income; receipts and transmittals; and scattered financial holdings statements.
relatedmaterial: label: Related Material
content: Also available at the Archives of American Art are the American Academy in Rome Records, 1855-circa 1981.