National Association of Women Artists records
name: label: Creator
content: National Association of Women Artists (U.S.)
label: Names
content: Butler Institute of American Art
label: Names
content: Museum of New Mexico
label: Names
content: National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors (U.S.)
label: Names
content: Newark Museum
label: Names
content: Texas Fine Arts Association
label: Names
content: Baker, Mildred, 1905-
label: Names
content: Bobbitt, Vernon L., 1911-1992
label: Names
content: Jerry, Sylvester, 1904-1990
label: Names
content: Morley, Grace, 1900-1985
topic: label: Occupation
content: Arts administrators -- New York (State) -- New York
label: Topic
content: Traveling exhibitions
label: Topic
content: Women artists
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Printed material, 1926-1971, donated by Jane Gray, historian for the NAWA, 1971. Scrapbooks donated by the NAWA, 1981, and the traveling exhibition records donated by NAWA, 1980.
creator: label: Creator
content: National Association of Women Artists (U.S.)
setName: label: See more items in
content: National Association of Women Artists records
abstract: label: Summary
content: The records of the National Association of Women Artists measure 1.6 linear feet and date from 1926 to 1971. Found are administrative and membership records from the 1960s, exhibition records, printed material, and three scrapbooks. The bulk of the collection consists of catalogs and correspondence regarding the Association's annual exhibition from 1926 to 1971.
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: The National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) was founded in 1889 and remains the oldest women's fine arts organization in the country.

Founded under the name the Woman's Art Club of New York, the National Association of Women Artists established a space for women to exhibit, create work, and learn about art. Artists Anita Ashley, Adele Frances Bedell, Elizabeth S. Cheever, Grace Fitz-Randolph, and Edith Mitchill Preilwitz established the organization in 1889. Also known as the National Association of Women Painters and Sculptors from 1913, NAWA adopted its current name in 1941.

NAWA's annual exhibition of member artworks gained recognition for the association. The organization also promoted membership by sending out traveling exhibitions across the world. The National Association of Women Artist currently has hundreds of members from all across the United States.
function: label: Function
content: Arts organizations
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 1.6 Linear Feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1926-1971
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives of American Art
identifier: label: Identifier
content: AAA.natiasso
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Scrapbooks
label: Type
content: Photographs
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: The collection is arranged as 4 series.

Series 1: Administrative and Membership Records, 1947-1970 (Box 1; 0.2 linear feet)

Series 2: Exhibition Records, 1926-1971 (Box 1; 0.7 linear feet)

Series 3: Printed Material, 1957-1967 (Box 1; 0.1 linear feet)

Series 4: Scrapbooks, 1951-1963 (BVs 2-4; 0.3 linear feet)
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: The collection was processed and described in a finding aid by Kelly Overstreet in 2017.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Scrapbooks
label: Genre/Form
content: Photographs
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The records of the National Association of Women Artists measure 1.6 linear feet and date from 1926 to 1971. Found are administrative and membership records from the 1960s, exhibition records, printed material, and three scrapbooks. The bulk of the collection consists of catalogs and correspondence regarding the Association's annual exhibition from 1926 to 1971. 

NAWA's administrative and membership records includes general writings and notes, board meeting notes, constitution and by-laws, mailing lists, and membership forms from 1963 to 1964. 

Exhibition records date from 1926 to 1971 and are not complete. Files may include artist and price lists, catalogs and printed material, correspondence, itineraries, and photographs. Notable correspondents and institutions included are Mildred Baker, Vernon Bobbitt, the Butler Institute of American Art, Sylvester Jerry, Grace Morley, the Museum of New Mexico, the Newark Museum, and the Texas Fine Arts Association.

Additional printed materials include a certificate of community service, press clippings, press releases, and printed material from other art-related sources, such as newsletters and exhibition catalogs.

Three mixed media scrapbooks date from 1951 to 1963. Scrapbooks include photographs, clippings, and exhibition catalogs.
separatedmaterial: label: Separated Materials
content: Additional records on the National Association of Women Artists can be found at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Zimmerli Art Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, Frick Art Reference Library, New York Public Library, Film and Fine Art Library, and Library of Congress.