Tyler School of Art Collection
Collection ID
SCRC 42
Related Subjects
Collecting Areas
Description
Collection Summary
Title
Tyler School of Art Collection
Dates
1906-2008, bulk 1935-2008
Collection ID
SCRC 42
Creator
Tyler School of Art
Quantity
13.35 linear feet (14 boxes + 13 map folders)
Repository
Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries
Language
Materials in English
Detailed Collection Information
Historical Note
In 1935, Stella Elkins Tyler donated a family estate in Elkins Park to Temple University for the purpose of creating a school of fine arts, specifying that it should be under the direction of Boris Blai. Tyler had been a student of Boris Blai, who served on the faculty of Temple’s Oak Lane Country Day School. Temple named Blai, a noted sculptor, the first Dean of the Tyler School, and he served in that capacity until his retirement in 1960. Blai wanted the school’s curriculum to include the liberal arts along with the fine arts, and to require the study of various art techniques before specialization in one. Charles Le Clair succeeded Blai as Dean in 1960 and expanded the curriculum to include graphic arts, a Master of Fine Arts degree, and the study abroad program in Rome in 1965.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Tyler’s curriculum continued to grow, with the addition of classes in design, ceramics, glass, metals, and photography. Tyler developed the Art, Art Education, and Art History departments on Temple’s main campus in North Philadelphia. Tyler graphic arts students developed the Temple “T” symbol in 1983. Exhibitions of the work of students and faculty, as well as local, national and international artists were held on the Tyler campus. Visiting scholars and artists offered lectures and classes. The school added an exhibition gallery to the University’s Center City building at 1619 Walnut Street in 1985, which then moved to the Old City gallery district in 1996.
After many years of deliberation among the university administration, Tyler faculty, and students, largely during the tenure of Dean Rochelle Toner, the University relocated Tyler School of Art to Temple’s main campus in a specially constructed building in 2008.
Description of Collection
This collection was part of the Tyler Archives Project established by the Tyler library at the Elkins Park campus to document the work of Tyler faculty and alumni. Materials retained as part of this collection include library administrative files as well as material of historic interest from the school. Advertising material and catalogs for the school as well as from summer sessions and the Rome campus, scrapbooks, guest books and financial ledgers are also included. Memos, correspondence, and clippings tracing the history of various plans to move the school to the Main Campus are a significant part of the collection. The collection ends with the move in 2008.
Organization and Arrangement
The collection is arranged into 6 series as follows:
Series 1: Administrative records, 1935-2008
Series 2: Financial ledgers, 1935-1948
Series 3: Catalogs, brochures, and advertising materials, 1937-2005
Subseries 3.1: General catalogs, brochures, and advertising materials, 1937-2005
Subseries 3.2: International programs, 1966-2001
Series 4: Scrapbooks and guest books, 1963-1979
Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1963-2001
Series 6: Memorabilia and ephemera, 1906-1991
Series 1 contains faculty vitae, library records, student lists, exhibition memos to staff, student and graduation lists and clippings and memos concerning the move to the Main Campus, 1935-2008.
Series 2 contains financial ledgers of miscellaneous expenditures and petty cash, 1935-1948.
Series 3 contains catalogs, advertising brochures, and publicity posters for the school and its various programs, 1937-2005.
Series 4 contains guest books with signatures of visitors to the campus and scrapbooks of news clippings and personal memorabilia, 1943-1993.
Series 5 contains a CD, DVD, and reel to reel audio tape of faculty work and an alumni event, 1963-2001.
Series 6 contains color charts, blank forms, a stencil, and the Elkins, Tyler Widener, Dixon family tree, 1906-1991.
Patron Information
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Temple University’s online library catalog: http://diamond.temple.edu/record=b5807298~S30
Research Access
Collection is open for research.
Collections Stored Off-Site
This collection may be housed off-site at the Library Depository, and require up to two business days to retrieve. Please review the finding aid and be prepared to identify specific materials to be retrieved. Contact the Special Collections Research Center in advance of your visit, so that materials may be relocated to the reading room for research.
Technical Access
Original audiovisual materials, as well as preservation and duplicating masters, may not be played. Researchers must consult use copies, or if none exist must pay for a use copy. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Publication and Copyright Information
The Tyler School of Art Collection is in the custody of the University Archives, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the University, or the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Tyler School of Art Collection, SCRC 42, Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Related Material
Special Collections Research Center:
Boris Blai Personal Papers
Additional Boris Blai Personal and Family Papers
Exhibition catalogs of exhibits at Tyler, University Archives
Faculty and alumni exhibition catalog Vertical Files and University Archives monographs
Templana Picture Files on Tyler School of Art
Temple University student periodicals and alumni newsletters
Tyler School of Art General Bulletins
Tyler School of Art Records (AR 45)
University Archives Vertical Files: “Tyler School of Art,” “Boris Blai,” “Stella Elkins Tyler,” ”Faculty,” “Alumni,” and “Tyler Gallery.”
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Transferred from the Tyler School of Art to the University Archives, January 8, 2009.
Separated Material
One box of correspondence and art work from students in a school in France paired with the Oak Lane Day School in a program administered by the American Friends Service Committee was transferred to the Oak Lane Day School Records. Exhibition materials (brochures, announcements, fliers, catalogs) have been removed for processing as part of the exhibition catalogs vertical file. General Temple University directories and publications, Tyler publications (alumni and student periodicals, newsletters), photographs, news clippings, and Tyler course catalogs, directories, and commencement materials have been removed to the University Archives.
Processing Information
Collection processed and finding aid prepared in April 2015 by Carol Ann Harris, Bibliographic Assistant.
Index Terms
The following headings have been used to index the description of this collection in Temple University’s electronic catalog:
Corporate Names:
Temple University
Tyler School of Art
Subjects:
Art--Exhibitions
Art--Study and teaching
Art schools
Artists
College campuses
Academic libraries
Places:
Philadelphia (Pa.)
Rome (Italy)
Elkins Park (Pa.)
Material Types
Administrative records
Broadsides
Clippings
Compact disks
Correspondence
Directories
DVDs
Ephemera
Financial records
Genealogies
Histories
Ledgers (account books)
Logs
Mailing lists
Manuscripts
Maps
Membership lists
Pamphlets
Phonograph records
Photocopies
Photographs
Posters
Press releases
Proofs
Publications
Reports
Scrapbooks
Sound recordings
Inventory
Series 1: Administrative records, 1935-2008
Series 1 contains faculty vitae, library records, student lists, exhibition memos to staff, student and graduation lists and clippings and memos concerning the move to the Main Campus, 1935-2008.
1 1 Alumni directory 1979
1 2 Alumni lists (unidentified lists of names, may be alumni) 1930-1969
1 3 Alumni material: correspondence 1969-1974
1 4 Alumni material: lists 1969-1974
1 5 Alumni material: memos 1969-1974
1 6 Alumni material: personal essay by Roslyn Lande Pearson, one of the first Tyler students in 1935 1988
1 7 Alumni material: press releases 1969-1974
1 8 Alumni material: programs 1969-1974
1 9 Alumni material: reunion invitation 1999
1 10 Art colleges of Philadelphia flier from National Art Education Association Conference April 8, 1994
1 11 Art history lectures flyers 1979
1 12 Campus planning: maps, building plans, reports 1935-2002
1 13 Campus planning: programs and facilities inventory report 1978
1 14 Contemporary artists list 1995
1 15 Correspondence: various 1959-1985
1 16 Course syllabus: Architecture 33 March 18, 1980
1 17 Course work: student group paper “Background of Art” for Fine Arts 3 1938
1 18 Directory 1978
1 19 Directory 1986-1987
1 20 Exhibition memos 1986-1987
1 21 Exhibition memos 1987-1988
1 22 Exhibition memos 1988-1989
1 23 Exhibition memos 1989-1990
1 24 Exhibition memos 1991-1992
1 25 Exhibition memos 1992-1993
1 26 Exhibition memos, program, poster 1996-1997
127 flat file Exhibition memos, program, poster: Poster from the Fourth Annual Temple Celebration of the Arts March 4-March 29, 1997
1 27 Exhibition memos 2001-2002
1 28 Exhibition memos 2002-2003
1 29 Exhibition press releases, photos, slides for “Arranged Introductions: Art Works in Different Places” 1995
2 1 Faculty study leave proposal by Richard Cramer 1988
2 2 Faculty vitae: art education undated
2 3 Faculty vitae: art history undated
2 4 Faculty vitae: crafts undated
2 5 Faculty vitae: graphic arts and design undated
2 6 Faculty vitae: painting, drawing and sculpture undated
2 7 Faculty vitae: university art department undated
2 8 Final graduation certificate 2008
2 9 Graduation list January 1971
2 10 Graduation list deletion January 1972
2 11 Graduation list May 1972
2 12 Graduation list May 1973
2 13 Graduation list August 1973
2 14 Graduation list May 1974
2 15 Graduation list May 1975
2 16 Graduation list September 1975
2 17 Graduation list December 1975
2 18 Graduation list May 1976
3 1 Library fine list 1992
3 2 Library furniture orders, furniture catalogs and diagrams 1968-1971
127 flat file Library furniture orders: Oversize diagrams of library shelving 1969
3 3 Library memos, plans for possible move 1970-1989
127 flat file Library memos: Oversized blueprints of library floor plans 1970
3 4 Library memos 1991-2003
3 5 Library purchase and cataloging form samples 1990-2001
3 6 Library specifications for furniture and shelving, memos and reports 1966-1970
3 7 Library task force for fine/performing arts: Andrea Goldstein, Tyler librarian’s personal file of memos, reports and articles 1998
3 8 Memos, committee lists 1953-2001
3 9 Memo: background statement on position of dean, for job description undated
3 10 Memos concerning move to main campus 1987-2002
3 11 Memos concerning possible move to Kardon Building 1990
3 12 Memos and press releases about move 1997-2003
3 13 News clipping file about move 1997-1998
3 14 Press releases 1984
3 15 Proposal for creative art therapies master’s program 1980
4 1 Publicity brochure proofs and mockup with photos 1960-1962
4 2 Publicity drafts and press releases 1981-1985
4 3 Stationery samples undated
4 4 Student list October 27, 1975
4 5 Student lists February 4, 1988
4 6 Student lists October 18, 1988
4 7 Student lists February 2, 1989
4 8 Student lists September-October 1989
4 9 Student lists March-May 1991
4 10 Student lists September 24, 1992
4 11 Student prizes and awards list February 27, 1992
5 1 Tyler Self-Study for National Association of Schools of Art Accreditation and Visiting Accreditation Team Report January 1979
Series 2: Financial ledgers, 1935-1948
Series 2 contains financial ledgers of miscellaneous expenditures and petty cash, 1935-1948.
12 Financial ledger 1937-1938
12 Financial ledger 1940-1941
12 Financial ledger 1943-1947
13 Petty cash ledger 1935-1940
13 Petty cash ledger 1940-1945
13 Petty cash ledger 1945-1948
Series 3: Catalogs, brochures, and advertising materials, 1937-2005
Series 3 contains catalogs, advertising brochures, and publicity posters for the school and its various programs, 1937-2005.
Subseries 3.1: General catalogs, brochures, and advertising materials, 1937-2005
6 1 Advertising brochures and posters: classes for children and high school students
1949-1985
127 flat file Advertising brochures and posters: classes for children and high school students: oversized posters 1983-1985
6 2 Advertising brochures: evening and weekend classes 1951-1972
6 3 Advertising booklets and posters: Tyler departments and degrees undated
127 flat file Advertising booklets and posters: Tyler departments and degrees: oversized posters undated
6 4 Advertising brochures and posters: lectures, events 1983-2001
127 flat file Advertising brochures and posters: lectures, events: oversized posters 1983-1984
127 flat file Advertising posters: open houses, portfolio reviews: oversized 1980-2000
6 Advertising brochures and posters: summer sessions 1937-1981
127 flat file Advertising brochures and posters: summer sessions: oversized posters 1980-2005
127 flat file Advertising posters: summer sessions: oversized 1982-2005
Subseries 3.2: International programs, 1966-2001
127 flat file Foreign study advertising poster: Oversized poster for Ireland workshop 1996
7 Foreign study advertising posters: Scotland workshops 1987-2001
127 flat file Foreign study advertising posters: Oversized posters for Scotland workshops: 1987-2001
7 Foreign study catalogs: Tyler School of Art in Rome 1966-1985
7 Foreign study catalogs: Tyler School of Art in Rome 1986-1998
127 flat file Foreign study: Tyler School of Art in Rome: Oversized posters for information fair held annually at Tyler for students interested in study in Rome: Festa di Roma 1989-2001
7 Foreign study: general advertising brochures and posters: Tyler School of Art in Rome 1966-1987
127 flat file Foreign study: oversized posters: Tyler School of Art in Rome 1966-1987
Series 4: Scrapbooks and guest books, 1943-1993
Series 4 contains guest books with signatures of visitors to the campus and scrapbooks of news clippings and personal memorabilia, 1943-1993.
8 Tyler guestbook with signatures of visitors to the campus, including Salvador Dali on April 4, 1965 1965-1973
8 Tyler guestbook with signatures of visitors to various exhibitions 1978-1979
9 Tyler scrapbook with news clippings concerning Tyler 1963-1974
10 Scrapbook of Tyler alumnus Leon Sitarchuk with news clippings about Tyler, exhibition notices and personal photographs; also includes a 78rpm recording, possibly self-recorded, and a notebook containing a story listed as written by Joy Odell 1943-1993
Series 5: Audiovisual materials, 1963-2001
Series 5 contains a CD, DVD, and reel to reel audio tape of faculty work and an alumni event, 1963-2001.
11 CD from Mario Teleri Biason, Printmaking Department, Temple University Rome Campus undated
11 DVD of works by Pew Fellows in Media Arts 2001
11 Reel to reel tape recording of The Tyler Alumni Forum March 29, 1963
Series 6: Memorabilia and ephemera, 1906-1991
Series 6 contains color charts, blank forms, a stencil, and the Elkins, Tyler Widener, Dixon family tree, 1906-1991.
14 Color charts published as part of the Munsell Color System 1906
14 Elkins, Tyler, Widener, Dixon family tree in several versions 1935-1989
14 Blank forms printed to resemble a diploma, to be used for the Tyler Fellows Award undated
14 Stencil for a skull mask by Tyler alumnus, Ken Segal November 1991
Request Materials from Special Collections Research Center
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