View XML QR Code

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)
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.
Return to Top

Historical Note

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."

Return to Top

Content Description

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.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

[Item and date], Municipal Art Commission Subject Files, Record Series 1652-02. Box [number], Folder [number]. Seattle Municipal Archives.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Records are arranged alphabetically by subject.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

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

Finding aid prepared by Scott Cline and Shannon B. Lynch
2004

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...