The Alternative Museum records
name: label: Creator
content: Alternative Museum (New York, N.Y.)
label: Names
content: Rodriguez, Geno
label: Names
content: Rooney, Jay
topic: label: Topic
content: Latino and Latin American artists
label: Topic
content: Asian American artists
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Donated 2007 by The Alternative Museum via co-founders Geno Rodriguez and Jan Rooney.
creator: label: Creator
content: Alternative Museum (New York, N.Y.)
setName: label: See more items in
content: The Alternative Museum records
abstract: label: Summary
content: The records of The Alternative Museum date from 1975 to 2006 and measure 4.2 linear feet. The records document the museum's history through administrative files, exhibition files, printed material, and photographic material.
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: The Alternative Museum (1975-2000), also known as The Alternative Center For International Arts Inc., was founded as an alternative exhibition space in New York City by Geno Rodriguez and Jan Rooney in 1975. Alternative Museum was founded in response to a segregated art world and sought to bring white and minority artists together under one roof. In 1976, it launched its World Music Program which showcases music from around the world. In April 2000 The Alternative Museum closed its doors and supported only virtual exhibitions.
function: label: Function
content: Art museums -- New York (State) -- New York
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 4.2 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1975-2006
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.altemuse
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is arranged into four series.

1. Administrative Files, 1976-1999 (0.2 linear feet; Box 1)

2. Exhibition Files, 1992-2000 (1.7 linear feet; Boxes 1-2)

3. Printed Material, 1975-2006 (1.8 linear feet; Boxes 2-4)

4. Photographic Material, 1975-1999 (0.5 linear feet; Boxes 4-5)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was processed, and a finding aid prepared by Ricky Gomez in 2024.
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The records of The Alternative Museum date from 1975 to 2006 and measure 4.2 linear feet. The records document the museum's history through administrative files, exhibition files, printed material, and photographic material. Administrative files consist of a history of the museum, By-laws and mission statements, leases, certificates of incorporation, inspection records, some correspondence, and some Board of Director's meeting agendas and minutes. Exhibition files include loan agreements, some correspondence, artist resumes and statements, checklists, and some photographs and slides of artist works. Exhibition files only cover exhibitions held at the museum during the 1990s. Printed material consists of "exhibition schedules" containing announcements, press releases, some clippings and articles, and some exhibition catalogs. Also included are unbound binders of clippings, exhibition calendars, and exhibition catalogs not present in "exhibition schedule" files. Among the many artists who have participated in exhibtions include: Luis Cruz Azaceta, Hannah Wilke, David Hammonds, Alfredo Jaar, Leon Golub, Andres Serrano, and  Tseng Kwong Chi. Photographic material consists of photographs of the interior of the museum, and both photographs and slides of exhibition installations.