Jan Van der Marck papers, 1942-2010

Biographical material includes records of Van der Marck's donations of books and art from his personal collection to museums and libraries, as well as records of his photographic prints collection. These donation files include lists of items, correspondence with museums and libraries, financial documents, agreements, and related printed material. Also found are files designated by Van der Marck as "Early Records" consisting primarily of school documents, writings, and photographs. One journal is from the same period. All of these early records are in Dutch. Additionally there are copies of published interviews with Van der Marck, one file of letters from friends, and several photographs of him and his home in Seattle, Washington. Researchers should note that many additional photographs of Van der Marck and letters from colleagues and friends are found elsewhere within his papers.

Files on artists and art historians were maintained by Van der Marck throughout his career. Files may include correspondence, photographs, slides, news clippings, exhibition catalogs, lists of artworks, exhibition planning documents, as well as articles or other writings by Van der Marck about the artist. Some files are extensive and notable for their content, such as the files on the artists Arman, Robert Indiana, Christo, Jacques Lipchitz, George Segal, Beverly Pepper, and international artists such as Brian O'Doherty, Enrico Baj, Lucio Pozzi, and Bernar Venet.

One sound disc found within the Arman files contains an audio announcement in French, created by Arman for his exhibition at Galerie Lawrence in Paris, France, while another digital video disc contains footage of a memorial service for Arman that takes place at the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

One sound recording found within the files on Arman has been digitized for research access.

Museum Administration records consist of files kept by Van der Marck to document his tenure as director or curator at various museums. Files may include museum exhibition planning records, acquisition records, administrative records, news clippings, press releases, correspondence, photographs of Van der Marck at various events, and photographs and slides of artwork.

One electronic disc contains footage of a Detroit Institute of Arts' Friends of Modern Art lecture, as well as an accompanying PowerPoint presentation, while another electronic disc is an interactive CD-ROM published by the Detroit Institute of Arts, titled, "INTERVENTIONS: An Exhibition."

Folders are arranged alphabetically by name of museum. Documents for each museum are maintained in Van der Marck's original order.

Found here are records of Van der Marck's professional activities outside of his employment as museum director or curator. Included are files on his participation as guest curator of exhibitions, committee participant, and exhibition juror. Also found are lecture files containing invitations, press materials, and drafts of lectures given by Van der Marck. Additionally there are general professional activity files, a few research files, copies of published articles by Van der Marck, records of job offers, and documentation on his role as curator for the Seattle World's fair. Any of these files may also include related correspondence, planning documents, and photographs of events.

Papers concerning bookbinding document Van der Marck's research and personal collection of contemporary bookbinding and book arts. Files on bookbinders and book artists whose work he purchased for his own collection may include correspondence, sales records, exhibition records, and photographs. Additionally there are files of slides of bindings, correspondence with libraries and organizations such as the Grolier Club, and records of his donations of these works. Miscellaneous records include correspondence, lists, notes, and printed material on this topic.