- unitid
-
{"value"=>"4813", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"MssCol 4813", "type"=>"local_call"}
- unittitle
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{"value"=>"Midtown Y Photography Gallery records"}
- physdesc
-
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"11 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"26 AB, 4 FB", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"genreform", "value"=>"Photographs, copy prints, slides"}], "supress_display"=>true}
- repository
-
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.</span> <div class=\"address\"> <span class=\"addressline\">Stephen A. Schwarzman Building</span> <span class=\"addressline\">Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788</span></div>"}
- langmaterial
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{"value"=>"Materials in English"}
- prefercite
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{"value"=>"<p>Midtown Y Photography Gallery records, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library</p>"}
- origination
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{"value"=>"Midtown Y Photography Gallery (New York, N.Y.)"}
- bioghist
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{"value"=>"<p>The Gallery was founded at the Emanu-El Midtown Y, New York City in 1972. The objective of the Gallery was to focus attention on less well-known photographers. Some of these photographers were newly established while others had their work exhibited to some extent and would eventually become recognized.</p> <p>The Midtown Y Photography Gallery (1972-1996), a non-profit organization, operated for twenty years at the Emanu-El Midtown Y, 344 East 14th Street, New York City. From 1992 through 1996, the Gallery was located at the Educational Alliance at 197 East Broadway. Larry Siegel directed the Gallery for the first six years (1972-1977). His previous experience included management of The Emanu-El Midtown. Sy Rubin succeeded Siegel for the following six years (1977-1980). Rubins' credentials include founder and Director of the Emanu-El Midtown Y, photographer and lecturer. The book 14th St. contains black and white photographs of life on Fourteenth Street. It was a collaborative effort of Siegel and Rubin (Providence, Rhode Island: Matrix Publications, Inc., 1982). Paul Goldberger (architecture critic, author and lecturer) wrote the introduction. 14th Street was published in conjunction with a photography exhibit at the Midtown Y Gallery, February 18 through March 21, 1982.</p> <p>During the next several years Larry Siegel and Sy Rubin assumed the management of the Gallery. Siegel managed the Gallery from 1980 through 1981. Rubin managed the Gallery from 1981 through 1982. Rubin co-managed the Gallery with Michael Spano from 1982 through 1983. Spano assumed full directorship of the Gallery from 1983 through 1996. As with all the Directors, he had previous work experience with Emanu-El Midtown Y.</p> <p>As a non-profit organization, the Gallery's objective was to give minor photographers and to a lesser extent, established photographers an opportunity to exhibit their work. This alternative space introduced the photographer's work to the public - which may have otherwise gone unnoticed. The photography exhibited at the Gallery range from traditional black and white images through experimental and innovative use of the camera and film. The subjects cover many aspects of human activity, still life, outdoors and abstract.</p> <p>Several steps were initiated during the set-up stage of exhibits. Each exhibit usually showcases three photographers. These exhibits last approximately one month. Every artist has a handbill that publicized a sample of his or her work. The handbills were mailed out in conjunction with press releases mailed to newspapers, magazines, radio stations, photography journals and art institutions. Theme shows (i. e. Brooklyn Bridge; The Jew in New York) were handled slightly differently with regard to the handbills. One artist work was selected to represent the group. The Gallery also hosted lecture and film series that advances knowledge, understanding and of photography.</p> <p>The Gallery kept itself financially solvent by applying for financial aid from the National Endowment for the Humanities and other similar organizations. Some financial support came from members and contributors who support the mission of the Gallery.</p> <p>In retrospect, the Gallery played a vital role in the art world of New York City and beyond. The Gallery provided a forum for innovative photographers as well as providing the public the opportunity to experience the current activities of the world of photography. A single photograph or a group of photographs from one or several artists can make a powerful artistic statement. The Midtown Y Gallery provided the forum for these works.</p>"}
- scopecontent
-
{"value"=>"<p>The records contain slides of many of the photographers who exhibited their work at the Gallery. There are also slides of photographer's work that was considered for an exhibit. Related material includes administrative records, general correspondence, general gallery information, exhibitions, handbills, financial, printed matter and photographs. Photographers who's work was exhibited in the Gallery include the following: Berenice Abbot, Dawoud Bey, Barbara Brooks, Shelley Bachman, Steve Cagan, Ron English, Charles Gatewood, Judith Golden, Arthur Leipzig, Les Levine, Sy Rubin, Larry Siegel, Aaron Siskind and William Earle Williams.</p> <p>The records, 1972-1996, are reflective of a vital cultural organization that promoted innovative and new photographers. The collection provides good documentation of approximately thirty years of The Gallery existence from the nineteen seventies through the nineteen nineties. An overview of the photography exhibits at The Gallery is located in Exhibitions, Series IV. This series covers The Gallery from its beginning. Although documentation for the early years is limited, this series is fairly complete for showing the publicity utilized by The Gallery to promote photographers. Additional documentation is located in the Administrative Records (Series 1) and the Slides (Series VII). The collection does lack significant correspondence of photographers whose work was exhibited at The Gallery. There are the occasional curricula vitae of photographers that work was/was not exhibited. What the collection does indicate is that many photographers sought to exhibit at The Gallery. Requests for shows came from the metropolitan area and also from photographers from around the country. In some instances, the photographer previously exhibited their work and now sought to show their work in New York City at The Gallery. Located at the end of the finding aid is a List of Photographers and Group Shows, 1972-1996. In some instances, a photographer showed their work more than once.</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The Midtown Y Photography Gallery records are arranged in eight series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1188854'>I. Administrative Records</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is representative of the administration of The Midtown Y Gallery. It is one of the smallest series in the collection. Records for the 1970s are lacking. The series contains Board correspondence, 1983-1994, relating to some of the administrative duties of The Gallery. The administrative records contain questionnaires forwarded to the Advisory Board from Sy Rubin and Michael Spano in 1983. The questionnaires were meant to make use of the talents of the Board members. Individuals were asked to check off what they would be interesting in doing for the Gallery such as lectures, writing grant proposals, openings, film series, lecture series, donating photographs to the permanent galley and curate a show. The remaining materials are miscellaneous notes and internal office correspondence c1982-1983.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1188860'>II. General Correspondence</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series is arranged in two sections. The first section, General Correspondence, 1970-1995, is arranged chronologically. The second section is alphabetical by name. The correspondence contains incoming correspondence to the Midtown Y Gallery. There is some outgoing correspondence.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1188878'>III. General Gallery Information</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series, is a mixture of periphery material. The most important information in this section is the exhibition schedule of the Gallery for the years 1972 through 1996. The schedule is arranged by the time of the exhibit. There are no individual photographers recorded for group shows. Consult List of Photographers and Group Shows 1972-1996 for an alphabetical listing of photographers. The remaining material includes of artist postcards, recommendations by the Gallery, individuals and galleries requiring the Gallery's assistance and notes.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1188896'>IV. Exhibitions</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>This series, is arranged chronologically. Not all exhibits are represented. There are handbills of the exhibits, press releases, reviews of exhibits published in newspapers and magazines, sign in sheets for visitors to the Gallery, occasional curricula vitae of the photographer and photographs.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1189046'>V. Handbills</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>Some years are incomplete; not all handbills are represented. These handbills were distributed to supporters giving about upcoming exhibits and receptions. The bulk of the handbills are glossy black and white measuring approximately \"9x5.\" A few of the handbills are in color.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1189058'>VI. Financial Records</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The financial records consists of the Midtown Y Gallery efforts to secure outside funding. The targeted groups are the Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts; the Creative Artists Public Service Program; Council of the City of New York; National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. The remaining material consists of assorted financial records including donations and gifts.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1189065'>VII. Printed Matter</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The printed material contains a scattering of articles, newsletters and published works relating to photography. The published material includes catalogues of photographers who exhibited at galleries and museums. 14th Street by Sy Rubin and Larry Siegel (1981) is included in the printed matter. The remaining material includes some promotional posters and flyers for photography shows.</p></div></li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mss/4813#c1189082'>VIII. Slides and Related Material</a></div>\n<div class='series-description'><p>The slides are arranged into two sections. The first group of slides is arranged by Exhibition season, 1981-1996. This group does not represent all of the photographers whom exhibited at the Midtown Y Gallery. It also is not a complete inventory of the photographer's work exhibited at a show. The second group of slides is photographers rejected for exhibits (arranged alphabetical) and unidentified slides. The remainder of the collection contains information on potential exhibitions (1980-1996), assorted photo and copy prints.</p></div></li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
- acqinfo
-
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Michael Spano former Director of The Midtown Y Photography Gallery, to the Photography Division in 1999. The records were transferred to the Manuscripts and Archives Division.</p>"}
- processinfo
-
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Processed by Valerie Wingfield, February 2000.</p>"}
- relatedmaterial
-
{"value"=>"<p>Archives of the Midtown Y Photography Gallery, 1972-1996.</p> <p>Photography Collection</p> <p>Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints & Photographs</p> <p>The New York Public Library</p> <p>circa 640 photographic prints, mostly silver gelatin</p>"}
- extent_statement
-
11 linear feet (26 AB, 4 FB)
- abstract
-
{"value"=>" The records contain slides of many of the photographers who exhibited their work at the Gallery. There are also slides of photographer's work that was considered for an exhibit. Related material includes administrative records, general correspondence, general gallery information, exhibitions, handbills, financial, printed matter and photographs. Photographers who's work was exhibited in the Gallery include the following: Berenice Abbot, Dawoud Bey, Barbara Brooks, Shelley Bachman, Steve Cagan, Ron English, Charles Gatewood, Judith Golden, Arthur Leipzig, Les Levine, Sy Rubin, Larry Siegel, Aaron Siskind and William Earle Williams.", "generated"=>true}