The DMA Archives preserve and make available Museum records of enduring value.
- Reference Services: Email, telephone and mail reference services are available. For more information, email the archivist or call (214) 922-1367.
- Hours and Accessibility: Appointments are required and should be made at least two weeks in advance.
- Requests for Materials: Researchers may request only four boxes at a time. The researcher may use only one box at a time. Remove only one folder at a time from each box.
These include noncurrent files created by DMA staff in the course of official business from the director's office, curatorial affairs, collections and exhibitions, and external affairs.
Have historical records related to the DMA, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, the Dallas Museum for Contemporary Arts or the Dallas Art Association? Please consider donating them to the archives.
In addition to institutional records, the archives holds records that document the local arts community and/or relate to the Museum’s collections. The special collections maintained by the archives include:
- 500X Gallery Records
- Barbara Lucile Maples Papers
- Barney Delabano Scrapbooks
- Coreen Mary Spellman Papers
- Carolyn Sortor Papers
- Dallas Art Association Records
- Dallas Museum for Contemporary Arts (DMCA) Records
- DW Gallery Records
- Edmund Kahn Papers on Charles Sheeler
- Gray Matters Gallery Records
- Heri Bert Bartsch Papers
- Joan Davidow Papers
- John and Nora Wise Papers on Pre-Columbian Art
- Karen Erxleben Weiner Collection
- Pamela Nelson Papers
- Paul Rogers Harris Papers
- Randall Garrett Papers
- Roy Fridge Films
- Texas Artist Files, The Barrett Collection, Dallas, Texas
- Victor Dada Records
The archives collects and maintains oral history interviews with people who have actively participated in the history of the Museum. Transcripts of unrestricted interviews are available upon request. For a current list of the interviews that are available, contact the Archivist.
- Past exhibition details: DMA Exhibition History
- Portal to Texas History: Select exhibition catalogs and related exhibition material, 1903–1984.
More questions? We’re here to help!
With so many incredible lectures, presentations, gallery talks, and interviews occurring at the DMA over the last four decades, the Museum is committed to preserving these moments for the enrichment of future generations. Browse available recordings below.
- Artist Talks – Distinguished artists discuss their work.
- Gallery Talks – Informal discussions with DMA staff, artists, and local scholars about the Museum's collections and exhibitions.
- State of the Arts – Dallas' key artistic leaders and special guests engage in thought-provoking conversations about the arts and the cultural landscape of the Metroplex. Presented in partnership with KERA's Art & Seek.
- Boshell Family Lecture Series – Features internationally recognized archaeologists, historians, and authors working at the forefront of archaeological research.
- Richard R. Brettell Lecture Series – Notable scholars of 19th- and 20th-century European art present new research and fresh interpretations of the Museum's modern masterworks.
- Michael L. Rosenberg Lectures – A scholar or curator comes to Dallas each year to discuss works of art in the Michael L. Rosenberg Collection, a distinguished group of 18th-century French paintings and sculptures.
- Exhibitions and Other Lectures – Curators, scholars, and special guests offer insight into special exhibitions and the DMA's collections.
Please note that written permission from the Archivist must be obtained before publishing archival materials. In giving permission to copy, quote from, or publish, the archives does not surrender its own right to publish such material or to grant permission to others to do so. Archival material will not be reproduced in violation of copyright laws. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission to publish.
Researchers assume full responsibility for the use of material obtained from the archives and conformity to the law of defamation, privacy, and copyright. The researcher shall indemnify and hold harmless the DMA and the DMA Archives staff from any claims arising as a result of his or her use of the material obtained. In the event that the donors have retained literary rights to their materials, the researcher must obtain written permission from them before publication of any such material. If portions of the archives are reproduced in published or unpublished sources, citations must include: "[Collection Title, Folder Title, Box #], Dallas Museum of Art Archives, Dallas, Texas." A copy of any published work that includes materials used in the DMA Archives must be presented to the DMA Archives at no cost.
- Archival materials are rare, and must be handled with care.
- They must not be marked, torn, cut, folded, leaned on, handled poorly, or otherwise damaged.
- Do not trace archival materials, or take notes on top of them.
- Never adhere Post-it notes, paperclips, or other potentially harmful materials to archives.
- Notify staff of any items that require preservation attention.
- Always maintain the existing order of materials within each folder and box.
- Never rearrange or alter the location of archival materials.
- Do not separate materials from their folders.
- Use gloves when handling photographs or other fragile materials as directed by archives staff.
- Material may not be removed from the archives research area. Archival materials are never loaned and are not to leave the premises under any condition.
Restricted Materials: Certain institutional records are restricted by law, by office of origin, or by donor. Restricted materials may not be accessed without written permission from the donor and the Archivist. The Archivist reserves the right to restrict the use of materials that are not yet processed or arranged, as well as materials of exceptional value or fragile condition.