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� -
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? 
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What to Share? 
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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