Paul Ramírez Jonas papers, circa 1989-2014

Called "Work" files by Ramírez Jonas, project files, like the exhibition files, provide a fairly comprehensive record of over two decades of projects, including large scale public art installations and smaller, more intimate projects that trace evolving themes in Ramírez Jonas's work, such as creating art whose meaning exists in the encounter it creates between the artist and the viewer. Files include unrealized projects as well as those that were executed.

Many of the project files intersect with records found in the exhibition files, such as detailed records demonstrating how Ramírez Jonas developed instructions for his kites used in Heavier Than Air, and how he developed the Key to the City project explored in the Open exhibition.

Files relating to a project involving 50 state summits, include maps and photographs of Ramírez Jonas at the sites used in the project. Files for the water wheel he created for the Hudson River Park, include multiple sketches with notes showing the evolution of his ideas, questions, and solutions to challenges in this complex project. Files also includes architecture plans, schematic drawings with Ramírez Jonas's notes, correspondence and memoranda about the project, contractual documents, budgets, invoices and receipts for payment.

Files on miscellaneous ideas and source material include many sketches and notes. Some of the materials are in digital format.

Records are arranged chronologically by year, and alphabetically by name of project within each year. Undated projects are housed at the beginning of the series; records of miscellaneous ideas and source material are housed at the end of the series.