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University of Texas at Austin, School of Architecture Archives: Visual Resources Collection records

 Collection
Identifier: SOAVR

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Collection

This collection is comprised primarily of photographic media, although a significant portion of the documents in the Director’s Files series consist of manuscript materials. The archive for the Visual Resources Collection contains a broad assortment of material types and formats, including negatives, black and white and color prints, chromogenic prints, digital prints, contact sheets, ephemera, annual reports, meeting notes, and printed email exchanges. These materials document the VRC’s expansion and evolution, its support of and collaboration with other UTSOA-affiliated facilities, the director’s oversight of the Collection, the administration of the Photo Union, exhibitions (both hosted by and documented by the VRC), UTSOA faculty and student work, and copywork for various UTSOA-based publications. The collection heavily features the people who have contributed to the School of Architecture's rich history, containing many portraits and candid shots of faculty, staff, and students, and extensive documentation of SOA events, including graduation ceremonies, staff and faculty celebrations, charrettes, student competitions, conferences and symposia, honors day, and pumpkin carving, to name a few.

Dates

  • Creation: 1938,1950-2018

Creator

Policies Governing Use and Access

This collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using archival materials. As all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site, advance notice of at least three working days is required for retrieval. Certain items may require additional time for flattening or humidifying before they can be viewed. Access is by appointment only. Please contact the archives’ reference staff for further information.

Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasions of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual’s private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person).

The Alexander Architectural Archives operate in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and regulations, providing unrestricted access to university records not covered by state and federal right to privacy acts.

The Alexander Architectural Archives, The University of Texas Libraries, and The University of Texas at Austin, assume no responsibility for infringement of literary property rights and copyright or for liability to any person for defamation or invasion of privacy that results from a researcher’s use of collections.

Researchers agree to indemnify and hold harmless The University of Texas at Austin, and their officers, employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of collections held by the libraries. Please alert staff if anything inappropriate is found during research.

Copyright interests in this collection may not have been transferred to the University of Texas. Researchers assume full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. Additionally, the public use of material must be cited. See citation information below.

Administrative History of the University of Texas School of Architecture Visual Resources Collection

The Visual Resources Collection (VRC) began in the mid-1960s as the Resources Center for School of Architecture's (hereafter abbreviated UTSOA) faculty and students with a small collection of slides cared for by graduate assistants. The Slide Collection grew to include 35mm slides through faculty donations, in-house copy work, and purchases from commercial slide vendors. In 1973, a full time Slide Librarian position was established, held by Susan Hoover from 1973-1980, to maintain and promote the collection of 20,000 slides.

By 1977, the Slide Collection had grown to include 60,000 slides and other collections of reference and technical materials were acquired. From 1977-1984, the resources and activities of the Center increased dramatically: the Slide Collection grew to 100,000 slides, the Resources Center acquired and began to circulate audio-visual equipment for the UTSOA. Additional staff was hired to handle new ancillary services and special projects assigned to the Resources Center (such as responsibility for exhibitions and special research) all while the number of users increased. A major component of the Center's mission was and continues to be photographic services, all of which were planned, executed, and supervised through the Center. During the beginning of Pamela Leighton-Burwell's tenure as director in 1980, the growth in equipment and materials caused the Resources Center to formally become the Audio Visual Resources Collection. The facility was again renamed in the fall 2004 to the Visual Resources Collection, reflecting a shift in focus in order to emphasize the image collection. The portion of the equipment inventory once formally maintained and circulated by the VRC, which included laptop computers and digital projectors, was transferred to the UTSOA’s Computer Lab in fall 2004. In 1997 Elizabeth Schaub was hired as a co-director along with James O’Donnell. One year later, in 1998, O'Donnell was transferred to the UTSOA's IT division and Schaub became the director of the VRC. As the VRC's director, Schaub oversaw the Collection's growth and transition from the Audio Visual Resources Collection to the Visual Resources Collection, as well as the move from analog to digital collections.

Administrative History of the Photography Union

The Architecture Photo Union, a club established by student Craig Kennedy, began in October 1969. The UTSOA provided the Photo Union with space in Goldsmith Hall for a darkroom, which included enlargers and a sink, where students could develop and print black and white film. Mike Farmer, the UTSOA staff sponsor for a time, helped design the space in Sutton 1.104, which became the Photo Union’s home in 1982. Dana Norman, a former UTSOA Photographer and VRC technician, helped support the Photo Union and was its sponsor during his tenure from 1986 to 1998. Later, Charlotte Pickett acted as the Photo Union's sponsor during her employ as staff photographer from 1998 until 2007. In fall 2011, the Photo Union was moved from Sutton 1.104 into Sutton 1.108, and ceased to be recognized as a student club, officially becoming part of the suite of services managed by the Visual Resources Collection. After undergoing renovation, Sutton 1.104 became a service point for laser cutters, an equipment resource critical to the SOA community, managed by the school’s Technology Lab.

Partially adapted from School of Architecture Prospectus, published 1986, The University of Texas School of Architecture's “Resources” page [Accessed January 31, 2017], and UT Austin School of Architecture Visual Resources Collection History written by Elizabeth Schaub.

Collection Names

  • mid 1960s - 1980: Resources Center
  • 1980 - 2004: Audio Visual Resources Collection
  • 2004 - 2018: Visual Resources Collection

    • Partial Extent

    13.81 Linear Feet

    Language of Materials

    English

    Additional Description

    Abstract

    The University of Texas School of Architecture Visual Resources Collection (VRC) records documents the work of the Visual Resources Collection, an analog and digital image collection operated by the School of Architecture. The primary function of the VRC was to provide a sustainable and searchable collection of visual images to support classroom teaching with an emphasis on the School of Architecture's curriculum. Record types include photographic prints and negatives, 35mm slides, exhibition posters, and manuscript material related to the activities and functions of managing the Visual Resources Collection.

    Arrangement

    The Visual Resources Collection archive is arranged into four series: Photographic Prints; Binders; Exhibitions; and Director's Files. Where materials are dated, they are arranged in chronological order, followed by undated materials.

    Other Finding Aids

    For related collections, please refer to the Alexander Architectural Archives' list of finding aids and subject index.

    Related Material

    Texas Architecture: A Visual History (Online Exhibit)

    References to works about the Visual Resources Collection

    -- compiled by Jade Snelling


    • Schaub, Elizabeth and Joan Winter. "The Visual Resources Collection: Building an Image Collection for the 21st Century." Traces and Trajectories. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2010.

    Collection Processors

    Processed by: Donna Coates, Jade Snelling, and Stephanie Tiedeken

    Related Names

    Subject

    Subjects

    Finding Aid & Administrative Information

    Title
    University of Texas at Austin, School of Architecture Archives: Visual Resources Collection records
    Author
    Finding aid created by Jade Snelling
    Language of description
    English
    Script of description
    Latin

    Repository Details

    Repository Details

    Part of the Alexander Architectural Archives Repository

    https://www.lib.utexas.edu/about/locations/alexander-architectural-archives
    Contact:
    University of Texas Libraries
    101 E. 21st Street
    Austin Texas 78712 United States
    (512) 495-4621

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