How to Use This Collection
Exploring the Collection
This collection has a finding aid which allows users to navigate to specific parts of the collection. To explore this collection, use either the expandable links in the sidebar or through the container inventory located in the Contents and Arrangement. Digitized materials will be indicated with the icon.
A PDF of the entire finding aid can be found on the Overview page.
Requesting Materials
You can request an appointment to view materials in the Washington, D.C. reading room or to receive reproductions. Requests can be made as you navigate through the collection on either the series description page (found through Contents and Arrangement) or on individual folders.
Alternative Forms Available
The bulk of the collection was digitized in 2009-2010. The bulk of the 2017-2021 additions were digitized in 2020-2021.
Materials generally not digitized include duplicates, blank pages, routine financial transactions that do not document sales of artwork, and income tax records. Only the covers and title pages for many publications, such as catalogs, pamphlets, etc., have been digitized. Betty Parsons's annotated sketchbooks were selectively digitized. Slides, transparencies, and unannotated photographs of works of art, except for those donated or transferred from 2017 on, were not digitized.
Material lent for microfilming in 1968 and 1969 on 35mm microfilm reels N68/62-N68/74 and N69/105-N69/106 is available at the Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
Restrictions on Access
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Researchers interested in accessing audiovisual recordings in this collection must use access copies. Contact References Services for more information.
Restrictions on Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
How to Cite This Collection
Betty Parsons Gallery records and personal papers, 1916-1991, bulk 1946-1983. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Digitization Note
The Betty Parsons Gallery records and Betty Parsons papers in the Archives of American Art were digitized in 2009. The bulk of the papers have been scanned and total 74,587 images.