Overview of & Introduction to Career Documentation

Joan Mitchell Foundation

FALL 2010

Career Documentation

What is it:

Career documentation entails documenting all aspects of your career as an artist. This involves creating a system that encompasses and shows the interconnection of your inventory list, your library/ archives and your contacts.

Two-parts:

The physical inventory and the record system

What to do when tackling the stuff-

1) Assessing the space

2) Consider the storage systems

3) Sort and label the materials

4) Starting an inventory list/ database

5) Mapping the inventory/ storage space

Keep in mind the physical inventory will include the artwork and archives as well.

Questions to ask around storage:

• Is there enough storage?• Does the space have cement floors?• Is there strong daylight?• Is the temperature consistent?• Is there too much humidity?• How is the air quality?• Does the space have a sprinkler system?• Are there any animal, insect or rodent problems?• What will the artist need to have access to?

Storing Artwork:Label all artwork, shelves, crates and packaging.

2D Work:

Works on paper- flat in flatfiles, or if too large rolled up, put glassine between works and consider the materials that might smudge or be dangerous to each other

Paintings - if on stretchers or panel, store vertically with cardboard, make sure the stretchers are are not in danger of warping, if removed from stretchers make sure the work is dry prior to rolling and then be prepared to give it time when you unroll it again

Storing Artwork cont’d:3D Work:

shelves, crates, boxes- depends on the material, make sure to label all parts of an installation so they stay connected

Photography: Need to be concerned about temperature. Keep it flat and in acid free boxes or flatfiles

Sketchbooks: vertically on shelf or if not horizontally

Video tapes: vertically on shelf

Inventory Numbering System

• A unique numbering system allows you to identify each piece you have made and keep track of it

• This number should be listed both on the artwork or packaging and also on every record.

• You should consider making inventory numbers for work that has been sold, given away or perhaps even destroyed.

• Most importantly, your inventory number should outline a system that corresponds to the way you think about your work.

The Inventory/ Record SystemCategories that should be included:• Artwork, exhibitions, contacts, archives, documents

• Artwork: titles, dates, size, media, image, location, value, installation and proper care directions, include work that is sold, exhibition history, publication history, people, notes section

• Exhibitions: title, curators, catalogue info, exhibition materials,

The Inventory/ Record System cont’d• Contacts: personal and institutional, collectors,

connect to artwork both collectors, but also writers, curators, etc…

• Archives: sketchbooks, exhibition materials, publications, correspondence, snapshots, interviews,

• Documents: Loan agreements, contracts, legal documents, etc…

Types of Records- Notecard or notebook

Types of Records- Excel Spread Sheet

Types of Records- Database Sample

Starting the Process:

• Go over artwork worksheet with artist• Develop SMART goals with each artist• Map the physical archives/ storage

spaces• Develop an inventory numbering system• Start a excel spreadsheet to work with

until database is completed