Thanks to the generous koha from Friends of Te Papa Reading Group attendees, we’re continuing to transform one of our most valuable research collections. Your support is enabling us to continue rehousing and auditing the Artist and Exhibition file collection in our Reading Room.
The Te Aka Matua Research Library Artist and Exhibition files contain ephemeral treasures – gallery invitations, newspaper clippings, catalogue lists, correspondence and more. Much of this information exists nowhere else, making these files invaluable for researchers. Over time, the original envelopes became overfull and began deteriorating. We’re now replacing them with conservation-standard, acid-free enclosures that will protect this irreplaceable content.
This project ensures these unique files remain accessible to researchers – both within Te Papa and beyond. We’re also updating our holdings on Find New Zealand Artists, an essential index that helps researchers locate artist information across libraries, publications, and art society records nationwide.
The before-and-after photos below show the remarkable transformation your support has made possible – and there’s more exciting progress ahead thanks to the Friends’ continued partnership.
A selection of ephemera contained in the artist file of Gerda Leenards.
Artist files before the rehousing project.,
Artist files after the rehousing project – in acid-free envelopes.