Archives of American Art

The Archives of American Art is a major repository that documents the history of visual arts in the United States through letters, photographs, and original manuscripts. The collection preserves millions of items that capture the creative work and thinking of generations of artists.

The archive was founded in the 1950s to preserve the work and thoughts of American artists. After its establishment in Detroit, it was relocated to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it became one of the major collections for American art history.

The collection displays handwritten letters and personal papers from renowned American artists across different periods and styles. You get a glimpse into how these artists thought and worked with galleries, collectors, and each other.

You can view materials at research centers in Washington D.C. and New York, with many collections also available online. Plan ahead since some specialized collections require appointments in advance.

The archive holds massive collections from individual artist estates, including one of the largest personal papers of Rockwell Kent. These personal documents reveal the behind-the-scenes artistic process rather than just the finished works.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1954

Founders: Edgar Richardson, Lawrence Fleischman, Eleanor Clay Ford

Part of: Smithsonian Institution

Address: 750 9th Street, NW Victor Building, Suite 2200, Washington, DC 20001

Website: https://aaa.si.edu

GPS coordinates: 38.89790,-77.02270

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:43