The
Randolph Street Gallery Archives Project is the result of a collaboration
initiated by SAIC graduate students in Arts Administration with the Flaxman
Library. Identifying the need to raise funds to preserve, process and
exhibit the Randolph Street Gallery Archives, we developed a project
that would
bring awareness to the grant process. This was manifested in an artists’ book,
highlighting selected pieces from the archives and interviews with artists,
administrators, curators and others involved with Randolph Street Gallery.
Reviving the spirit of the gallery through this artists’ book humanizes
the archives, and reveals the necessity to make them accessible to the
SAIC community and general public.
Our
interest in collaboration drew us to work with the archives. We do not
think of ourselves as historians or archivists, but as collaborative
partners. An artists’ run space, Randolph Street Gallery was built
upon collaborative relationships. It was concerned with forming conversations
within the gallery
and building bridges between disciplines and practices. These dialogues
informed the creative process and resulted in innovative visual and performing
arts projects.
We hope this
project provides insight into the significance of preserving the archives.
Whether for research purposes, artistic development, or scholarly interest,
the archives are a valuable resource. Your interest and support can help
in transitioning the archives to an accessible state. Randolph Street
Gallery Archives Project is just the beginning of this process.
Lucas Cowan
Isil Egrikavuk
Branwen Jones
Rachel Pomberg
April 2004
