Remember that you, as the creator of a work, are the best person to describe it and leave instructions as to its use. How else will your representatives know which negatives to print or how to install a complicated sculpture or even which work you would want shown?
Finding a home for your work
once you have documented and catalogued your work, you still need a safe home for it. Ideally, all the work would be kept together in appropriate storage conditions and accessible to interested parties. That, however, is not often the case unless an artist has had a commercially successful career. Take a wide view of possible homes for your work but remember that the art is best seen, rather than just stored.
ArchivesIt is difficult for galleries to represent the estates of lesser known artists because of market concerns. Several archives exist, primarily focused on the work of gay men. You should evaluate these archives as carefully as they evaluate you. Does your work make sense with the rest of their holdings? What are their storage facilities? Do they have the resources to stay in business? You will find these archives listed at the end of this section.
LibrariesLibraries can be an important resource for visual artists, depending on the form, scale and subject of your work. For example, the New York Public Library collects work from artists internationally and can also assist in suggesting libraries in other regions. It is vital that you speak with the curators, listed below, to find out whether the library can accept your work. Never simply name a library, museum or other institution as the recipient of your work without consulting them firstthey may have specific curatorial interests or insufficient storage capacity to take on your work. If your work is catalogued, it will be much easier for an institution to accept it. In addition, visual artists working in the performing arts (costume and scenic designers, for example) should contact the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts for placement of their work. Peripheral materials such as sketch books and correspondence may be appropriate for the Archives of American Art.
