Who's Who in American Art is the best reference available for quick concise biographical information on over 12,000 living American artists, critics, curators, administrators, librarians, historians, collectors, conservators, educators, dealers and other significant visual arts professionals in the United States. Some individuals from Canada and Mexico are also included as well as a number of American artists and arts professionals currently residing in other countries. Nearly 2,400 names appear for first time ever in this edition.
A typical artist listing includes the artist's date and place of birth; education and training; commissions and exhibitions; museums holding the artist's work; professional positions; awards; books and articles by and about the artist; the media in which the artist works; the artist's dealers and representatives; and the artist's mailing address. All entries are listed alphabetically by name, and cross-indexed at the rear of the book by state and by profession or discipline. A Necrology at the close of the book lists all previous Who's Who entrants who died between 1953 and 2000 (always check the Necrology when you don't find an artist listed in the main listings section; if you find the name in the Necrology, that means that a previous edition will have the biographical information you're looking for).
Who's Who in American Art is one of the first references I check when I'm researching a contemporary American artist. The book is particularly useful for anyone who has either inherited or bought art from artists or galleries years or decades ago, and has either no current information about those artists or galleries, or has no idea what the art's current value might be. Most established American artists are included in this book and no experts are better qualified to price or provide information about an artist or her art than the artist who made it and the gallery that sells it. Who's Who in American Art is not cheap at $275, but it's an essential part of any working art reference library. Make sure that you have access to a copy through a public or private library, museum, college or university in your area. If you can't find a copy, talk to your local librarian about ordering one.
Who's Who in American Art, 21st Edition, 2001-2002 edited by Fred Marks. Marquis Who's Who, New Providence, NJ, 2001, hardbound, 8 3/4 by 11 1/4 inches, 1,525 pages, $275.00. Available from Marquis Who's Who, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974 or call toll-free 1-800-521-8110 or order directly from the Marquis Who's Who and National Register Publishing website.
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The Official Museum Directory, 32nd Edition, 2002 is the most comprehensive reference in print for basic information about the American museum community. The book contains key data for more than 8,200 institutions operating in 87 fields including art museums, general museums, historic sites and houses, and specialized museums such as ones devoted to textiles, circuses, crime, antiques, architecture, mining, coins, photography, sports, and many other collecting disciplines. A typical museum's listing includes phone and mail contact information, hours of operation, names of key personnel, collecting specialties, research specialties, website and email addresses, publications, exhibits, and more.
The directory is invaluable for museum professionals, curators, scholars, historians, and educators, as well as for dealers and collectors who want to research, donate, buy or sell specialized types of art, antiques and collectibles. Museums are listed alphabetically by state, and then by city within each state. Four additional indexes at the rear of the book make finding the best museum, individual, or research facility for your needs even easier. Those indexes are also alphabetical and list institutions, key personnel, institutions by category, and institutions by collection. In the art business, knowledge means money, and nothing beats having access to the entire American museum scholarly community at your fingertips. Don't do advanced research without it!
Included with the The Official Museum Directory is a companion volume of resources for products and services relating to art and antiques including display products, archival products, appraisers, auction houses, shippers, packers, design firms, website designers, photographers, security equipment, and much more. The directory is not cheap, but it's an essential part of any working art reference library. Make sure that you have access to it, either through a public or private library, museum, college or university in your area. If you can't locate a copy, speak with local libraries or educational institutions about ordering one.
The Official Museum Directory, 32nd Edition, 2002 edited by Robert Docherty. National Register Publishing, New Providence, NJ, 2001, two volumes, softbound, 8 1/4 by 11 7/8 inches, 2479 pages and 332 pages, $289.99. Available from National Register Publishing, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974 or call toll-free 1-800-423-7020 or order directly from the Marquis Who's Who and National Register Publishing website.
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The American Art Directory, 58th Edition, 2001-2002 has been published since 1898. The current edition is an art almanac of sorts and profiles nearly 5,000 museums, art organizations, art schools, and libraries in the United States and Canada. The "Art Information" section contains names and basic contact information for art editors and critics, art magazines, scholarships and fellowships, state directors and supervisors of art education, and more. Entries are cross-indexed at the rear of the book by subject, personnel, and organization. Dealers and collectors find The American Art Directory particularly useful for basic art research and for locating local and regional exhibition-traveling agencies and art councils that may want to co-sponsor art exhibitions or events. The American Art Directory is also a great reference for students thinking about applying to art school.
The American Art Directory, 58th Edition, 2001-2002 edited by Fred Marks. National Register Publishing, New Providence, NJ, 2001, hardbound, 8 3/4 by 11 1/8 inches, 967 pages, $275. Available from National Register Publishing, 121 Chanlon Road, New Providence, NJ 07974 or call toll-free 1-800-423-7020 or order directly from the Marquis Who's Who and National Register Publishing website.
