Loading...
Creator
Bourscheidt, Randall
Call number
MssCol 22289
Physical description
9.03 linear feet (22 boxes)
Preferred Citation
Randall Bourscheidt Alliance for the Arts records, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library
Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The Randall Bourscheidt Alliance for the Arts records (1968-2012) document the arts-related advocacy efforts undertaken by the Alliance for the Arts. The collection primarily contains published research reports and project planning documents.

Biographical/historical information

The Alliance for the Arts was founded in 1976 as the Cultural Assistance Center. Focused on advocacy and promotion, the organization disseminated public information about the arts and cultural institutions, and conducted research on the impact of the arts industry in New York City and New York State. Their first economic impact study was conducted in 1983. Often partnering with other entities, such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the Alliance's initial study and subsequent research provided policy makers, arts organizations, and funders with data about the importance and value of the arts. The organization also worked to compile comprehensive directories of cultural institutions and organized policy conferences and other events. Randall Bourscheidt served as president of the Alliance for the Arts from 1989 until 2010. In 2011, the Municipal Art Society and WNET assumed responsibility for the Alliance's activities.

Scope and arrangement

This collection documents specific initiatives undertaken by Alliance for the Arts and the organization's research. The bulk of the collection consists of reports produced by Alliance for the Arts. There are also newspaper clippings, copies of presentations, and a small amount of administrative documents.

The additions are mostly printed matter relating to the performing arts in New York City. There are some administrative files from the Alliance of Arts and several audio tapes from a conference.

The Randall Bourscheidt Alliance for the Arts records are arranged in three series:

  • Series I: Administrative
    1970-2011

    The series holds administrative files about the Alliance of the Arts and includes files on art education, Broadway statistics, cultural policy, information on art education, and other New York City attractions. The files were arranged by title of subject.

  • Series II: Projects
    2000-2006

    The series documents specific projects and initiatives undertaken by the Alliance for the Arts. These files relate to the impact of September 11, 2001 on the arts, local New York City elections, the Arts Research Center, and the Citywide Cultural Database. Included are maps of cultural institutions located in each city council district.

  • Series III: Publications
    1968-2012

    The series holds mostly publications and near printed matter such as internal reports focused on the state of the Arts in New York City. The Alliance of the Arts co-authored some publications. The series was arranged by title of publication. If the author(s) had multiple publications, it was filed under the author's name.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by Randall Bourscheidt, 2013.

Processing information

Compiled by Susan M. Kline, 2015.

Additions to the collection were processed by Valerie Wingfield in 2017.

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328

Conditions Governing Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials.

Access restrictions

Audio/visual materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.