Archiving for the future

Archiving for the Future Simon Sladen

Senior Curator, Modern and Contemporary Performance Victoria and Albert Museum s.sladen@vam.ac.uk

National Collection of Theatre and Performance

 Mrs Gabrielle Enthoven (1868-1950)  1924 – V&A accepts Enthoven’s private collection

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National Collection of Theatre and Performance

“I want the section to be the place where the producer, actor, author and critic will naturally go for information, both of what is being done in this and other countries at present and what has been done before�

- Enthoven

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National Collection of Theatre and Performance

“to document both current practice and the history of the performing arts in the UK�

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Rock and Pop

- Dance

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Puppets

- Opera

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Theatre Buildings

- National Video Archive of Performance

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Photographs

- TheatreVOICE

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Costumes

- Production Files

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Prints

- Archives

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Stage Properties

- Collections

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Circus

- Library 4

Definition

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Purpose •Audience •Company •Document performance •Revivals •Legacy

•Succession planning •Advertising •Prospective Members •Existing Members •Past Members 6

Archive = System

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What to collect?  Photographs

 Designs

 Video

 Plans

 Prompt Script

 Schedules

 Memories

 Receipts

 Props

 Minutes

 Costumes

 Agendas

 Correspondence

 Newsletters

 Reviews

 Reviews

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Structure COMPANY

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

PRODUCTIONS

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

PRODUCTIONS

1980

1981

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

PRODUCTIONS

1980 Cinderella

1981 Oklahoma!

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

PRODUCTIONS

1980 Cinderella

Programme

1981 Oklahoma!

Prompt Book Photographs

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Structure COMPANY

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

PRODUCTIONS

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

1980

PRODUCTIONS

1982

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

1980

PRODUCTIONS

1982

Minutes

Finance

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Structure COMPANY ADMIN

1980

PRODUCTIONS

1982

Minutes

Finance

J F M A M J J A S O N D

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Storage

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Storage  One space  Clean  Dry  Flat  No paperclips

 No staples  Online?  Computer?  Access 20

What to Share?  Website

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What to Share? 

Twitter

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What to Share? 

Facebook

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What to Share? 

YouTube

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Top Tips  Structure  Materials and Storage  Collecting Policy  Be consistent  Designated Person

Minutes – 2006 - JAN Minutes – 2006 - FEB

Minutes – 2006 MARCH

 Build it in to the process  Selective digitisation  Don’t forget the law!  Think about the future – use value

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Archiveshub.ac.uk

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Archiveshub.ac.uk

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performingartscollections.org.uk/

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Archiving for the Future Simon Sladen

Senior Curator, Modern and Contemporary Performance Victoria and Albert Museum s.sladen@vam.ac.uk