Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Municipal Art Commission Subject Files, 1955-1969
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Municipal Art Commission
- Title
- Municipal Art Commission Subject Files
- Dates
- 1955-1969 (inclusive)19551969
- Quantity
- 1.6 cubic ft., (4 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 1652-02
- Summary
- The Municipal Art Commission Subject Files, 1955-1969, contain correspondence, memoranda, reports, and press clippings relating to the programs, activities, and administration of the Commission.
- Repository
-
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Office of the City Clerk
City of Seattle
PO Box 94728
98124-4728
Seattle, WA
Telephone: 2062337807
Fax: 2063869025
archives@seattle.gov - Access Restrictions
-
Records are open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
An Arts Commission was created in 1955 to advise City government regarding the artistic and cultural development of the City. The Commission had ten members (later increased by ordinance to fifteen), who represented the painting, sculpture, music, literature, architecture, and landscape architecture communities; members could be nominated for appointment to the Commission by their organizations.
The Commission was reorganized in 1957 as the Municipal Art Commission by Ordinance 86692. Its primary mission remained the same, and the composition of the Commission changed only slightly. Its fifteen members included two from each of the abovementioned categories as well as three "lay" members. The Commission's advisory responsibility was extended to recommendations regarding the purchase of artworks by the City or the donation of artworks to the City; each painting, sculpture, or fountain and its location had to be approved by the Commission, which also made recommendations on the removal of artworks. The Commission was also responsible for making recommendations on the design of new physical structures to be constructed in the City and could even advise private property owners at no charge.
In 1961, the Commission's responsibilities were broadened to include historic preservation recommendations. In 1971, the Municipal Art Commission, which was "no longer actively pursuing its responsibilities," was abolished by Ordinance 99982 and replaced by the Seattle Arts Commission. The new Commission acted in the same advisory capacity and had fifteen mayor-appointed members; its actions served "to promote and encourage public programs to further the development and public awareness of and interest in the fine and performing arts."
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Correspondence, memoranda, reports, and press clippings relating to the programs, activities, and administration of the Municipal Arts Commission; included are materials on Commission input regarding planning for construction of physical structures in the City. Photographs and architectural drawings are found in a few files; the collection also contains several folders of annual reports and general correspondence.The records contain information on projects, special events, programs and development in various Seattle neighborhoods, the Chief Seattle statue, the Civic Center, Seattle Center, historic sites preservation, lighting, landscaping, parks, parking, and sign and billboard regulations. Also included are files regarding the work of prominent local artists such as Doris Chase, Mark Tobey, and George Tsutakawa.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[Item and date], Municipal Art Commission Subject Files, Record Series 1652-02. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
Municipal Art Commission Subject Files, 1955-1969Return to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates |
---|---|---|
Box/Folder | ||
1/1 | Allied Arts of
Seattle |
1956-1967 |
1/2 | Annual Art Commission Awards
Dinner: Correspondence, Invitation Lists and Commission Members |
1966-1967 |
1/2 | Annual Art Commission Awards
Dinner: Correspondence, Invitation Lists, and Commission Members |
1966-1967 |
1/3 | Architecture, Planning,
Landscaping Committee: Second Preliminary Report |
1956 |
1/4 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1958 |
1/5 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1957 |
1/6 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1956 |
1/7 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1959 |
1/8 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1960 |
1/9 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1962 |
1/10 | Art Commission Annual
Report |
1964 |
1/11 | Art Commission:
Correspondence, General |
1963 |
1/12 | Art Commission:
Correspondence, General |
1964 |
1/13 | Art Commission:
Correspondence, General |
1965-1966 |
1/14 | Art Commission:
Correspondence, General |
1967 |
1/15 | Art Commission:
Correspondence, General |
1968 |
1/16 | Art Commission Landscape and
Architecture Committee |
1964-1967 |
1/17 | Art Commission Members,
Committees, Regulations |
1959-1967 |
1/18 | Art Commission Projects:
Gifts for the Mayor |
1965 |
1/19 | Art Commission Projects:
Miscellaneous |
1965-1967 |
1/20 | Arts for Youth
Festival |
1964 |
1/21 | Arts Programming: Report on
Park Department Music and Art Programming |
1961 |
1/22 | Associated Council for the
Arts (New York) |
1967-1968 |
1/23 | Ballard City Hall
Site |
1965-1966 |
1/24 | Beautification:
General |
1965-1966 |
1/25 | Boeing 50th Anniversary
Medallion |
1965-1966 |
1/26 | Bridges |
1964 |
1/27 | Bus Stops and
Shelters |
1962-1963 |
1/28 | Central Association of
Seattle |
1965-1966 |
1/29 | Central Area Motivation
Program: Performing Arts Center - Cherry Hill Firehouse |
1967 |
1/30 | Central Business District
Development |
1963 |
1/31 | Charles Street Traffic
Engineering Building: Landscape Recommendations |
1964-1966 |
1/32 | Chief Sealth Statue: Report
on Relocation |
1957 |
1/33 | Citations, Awards, and
Resolutions |
1961-1962 |
1/34 | City Council |
1966 |
1/35 | City Building
Signs |
1965 |
1/36 | City Flag |
1965 |
2/1 | City Light |
1962-1964 |
2/2 | City Light: Pine Street
Substation (Drawing) |
1965 |
2/3 | Civic Arts Account: Donated
Art Works |
1961 |
2/4 | Civic Arts Account: Donated
Art Works |
1962 |
2/5 | Civic Arts Fund |
1965-1966 |
2/6 | Civic Arts Fund |
1967-1969 |
2/7 | Civic Center: International
Fountain Design and Competition |
1960-1962 |
2/8 | Civic Center
Survey |
n.d. |
2/9 | Design Review and
Recommendations |
1966-1968 |
2/10 | Engineering Department:
General |
1965-1966 |
2/11 | Public Financing for Public
Art Works |
1966 |
2/12 | Fire Station Number
8 |
1963 |
2/13 | Fire Station Number 22:
Preservation |
1963-1966 |
2/14 | Fire Station Number 23:
Disposition |
1965 |
2/15 | Fire Station Number
40 |
1964 |
2/16 | Freeway Landscaping and
Highway Aesthetics |
1959-1964 |
2/17 | Fortson Square |
1966 |
2/18 | Gerber Memorial Park:
Children's Fountain - George Tsutakawa |
1968 |
2/19 | Gray, Maxine Cushing: "The
Argus" |
1965-1966 |
2/20 | Historic Sites in
Seattle |
1960-1966 |
2/21 | Historic Sites in Seattle:
Suggested Consultants |
1965 |
2/21 | Historic Sites: Suggested
Consultants |
1965 |
2/22 | Holiday Dance
Concert |
1963 |
2/22 | Holiday Dance
Concert |
1963 |
2/23 | Interdepartmental Seattle
Beautiful Committee |
1966 |
2/24 | Instructions to Architects:
Design Review |
1965 |
2/25 | Ivar Haglund
Fountain |
1966 |
2/26 | Joshua Green Fountain: George
Tsutakawa Insurance Issues |
1965-1967 |
2/27 | Kerry Park: Doris Totten
Chase Sculpture |
1968 |
2/27 | Kerry Park: Doris Totten
Chase Sculpture |
1968 |
2/28 | Landscape Architect
Licensing |
1966-1967 |
2/29 | Nominating
Committee |
1956-1968 |
2/29 | Lake Union
Development |
1963-1967 |
2/30 | Lake Washington
Bridge |
1963 |
3/1 | Lake Washington Boulevard at
Hillside Drive: Viewpoint Proposed Improvement - Frederick J. Blanchett
Foundation |
1965-1966 |
3/2 | Legislative Department: City
Council |
1965 |
3/3 | Library and Library
Branches |
1963-1967 |
3/4 | Lighting Fixtures for
Restaurant Annex A, Civic Center: Seattle Lighting Company (includes drawing
and photographs) |
1964 |
3/5 | Mark Tobey Mural Cards:
Journey of the Opera Star |
1965-1966 |
3/6 | Messenger Memorial: United
Parcel Service |
1966 |
3/7 | Municipal
Building |
1963-1968 |
3/8 | Municipality of Metropolitan
Seattle (METRO) |
1965-1966 |
3/9 | Northwest Craft
Center |
1965-1967 |
3/10 | Northwest Dance
Theater |
1965 |
3/11 | Old Public Safety Building
(Yesler Building) |
1966 |
3/12 | Overpasses |
1962-1965 |
3/13 | Parking Garages and Parking
Lots |
1963-1967 |
3/13 | Parking Lots and Parking
Garages |
1963-1967 |
3/14 | Parking: Suggested
Modifications to Parking Lot Criteria in New Zoning Ordinance |
n.d. |
3/14 | Parking: Suggested
Modifications to Parking Lot Criteria in the New Zoning Ordinance |
n.d. |
3/15 | Parks Department:
General |
1964-1966 |
3/16 | Pedestrian
Overpasses |
1959-1964 |
3/17 | Performing Arts Program for
Youth: Grant Proposal to Ford Foundation - Central Area Motivation
Program |
1967 |
3/18 | Pike Place Market |
1964-1968 |
3/19 | Pioneer Square |
1964-1968 |
3/20 | Planning
Commission |
1966 |
3/21 | Plaques for Donated Works of
Art |
1962-1967 |
3/22 | Playgrounds and
Playfields |
1963-1966 |
3/23 | Plymouth Congregational
Church Columns |
1966-1967 |
3/24 | Post Office: Curb-Side
Mailboxes |
1965-1966 |
3/25 | Queen City Yacht
Club |
1963 |
3/26 | Requests for
Information |
1965-1966 |
3/27 | R.H. Thomson
Freeway |
1965 |
3/28 | Robert Joffrey Ballet
Company: Proposed Summer Residency |
1965-1967 |
3/29 | Seattle Center:
General |
1963-1968 |
3/30 | Seattle Center: International
Fountain |
1965 |
3/30 | Seattle Center: International
Fountain |
1965 |
3/31 | Seattle Center: Kobe Bell
Building and Grounds |
1964-1966 |
3/31 | Seattle Center: Kobe Bell
Building and Grounds |
1964-1966 |
3/32 | Seattle Center: Marine Park
and Aquarium Proposal |
1966 |
3/33 | Seattle Center: Opera
House |
1963-1966 |
3/34 | Seattle Center: Opera House -
Cecilia Schultz Music Room Dedication |
1965 |
3/35 | Seattle Center Permanent
Works of Art and Items of Interest |
1965-1966 |
3/35 | Seattle Center: Permanent
Works of Art and Items of Interest |
1965-1966 |
3/36 | Seattle Center: Playhouse
Questionnaire |
1965 |
3/37 | Seattle Center: Repertory
Theatre |
1964 |
4/1 | Seattle Housing
Authority |
1966 |
4/2 | Seattle Public Library:
General |
1965-1966 |
4/2 | Seattle Public Library:
General |
1965-1966 |
4/3 | Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets |
1965-1966 |
4/3 | Seattle Repertory Theatre
Tickets |
1965-1966 |
4/4 | Service Pins for City
Employees |
1966 |
4/5 | Sewage Treatment Plants:
Landscaping and Design |
1963 |
4/6 | Seward Park:
Torii |
1962-1963 |
4/6 | Seward Park:
Torii |
1962-1963 |
4/7 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1955-1958 |
4/8 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1959 |
4/9 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1960 |
4/10 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1961-1962 |
4/10 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1961-1963 |
4/11 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1963-1964 |
4/11 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1963-1964 |
4/12 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1965-1967 |
4/12 | Sign and Billboard
Regulation |
1965-1967 |
4/13 | Spring and Seneca Streets and
Sixth Avenue Triangle |
1965-1966 |
4/14 | Stewart Street Landscaping
and Lighting |
1965 |
4/15 | Street Furniture |
1966 |
4/16 | Street Lighting |
1964-1965 |
4/17 | Street Tree Planting Program:
A Report on Current and Future Stree Tree Planting Programs |
1966 |
4/18 | Street Trees: Planting and
Pruning |
1963-1968 |
4/19 | Trash Receptacles |
1965-1966 |
4/20 | Title III: Supplementary
Education Planning |
1966 |
4/21 | Underground
Wiring |
1963-1968 |
4/22 | Urban Design
Board |
1965 |
4/23 | Victoria (B.C.) Light
Standards |
1965 |
4/24 | Washington Bird
Sculpture |
1965-1966 |
4/25 | Washington State Arts
Commission |
1965 |
4/26 | Washington State
Coliseum |
1963 |
4/27 | Westlake Mall |
1963-1965 |
4/28 | Westlake Square Fountain
(Drawing) |
1964-1967 |
4/29 | Will Rodgers
Memorial |
1966 |
4/30 | Winter Leaves by Morris
Graves |
1963 |
4/31 | Woodland Park Zoo |
1964 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Architecture--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Art commissions--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Art, Municipal--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Billboards--Washington (State)--Seattle
- City planning--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Historic preservation--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Public sculpture--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Public art--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Signs and signboards--Washington (State)--Seattle
Personal Names
- Chase, Doris, 1923-
- Seattle, Chief, 1790-1866--Statues
- Tobey, Mark
- Tsutakawa, George
Corporate Names
- Seattle Center (Seattle, Wash.)
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)--Buildings, structures, etc.
Form or Genre Terms
- Architectural drawings
- Correspondence
- Memorandums
- Photographic prints