Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Publications produced by the School of Art and its subunits, including brochures, bulletins, calendars, college catalogs, exhibition catalogs, newsletters, and student publications.

The Publications series (1.0 linear foot) consists of two subseries: Unit Publications and Student Publications. The Unit Publications include brochures, bulletins, calendars, exhibition catalogs and student handbooks. Note that degree program requirements can be found in the Bulletin (Course Catalog) until 2001. Also note that the 1996 Bulletin covers the period from 1996 to 2001. After 2001, degree program requirements are contained within the Student Handbooks. Student Publications consist of catalogs and newsletters. Some publications (or their successors) may no longer be available in print but are available on the school s website.

The first classes in art at the University of Michigan were offered in 1906 by the Department of Architecture. In 1926, a program in decorative arts was housed in the College of Engineering and Architecture. Art evolved as a discipline, moving through the colleges of engineering and architecture to become the School of Art, an autonomous institution, in 1974. It became the School of Art & Design in 1996. The records focus on the evaluation and review of the program in the 1970s and early 1980s during the budget crisis faced by the university. The records also contain minutes of the Executive Committee and the Faculty Committee, from the mid-1970s to 1999.

The School of Art & Design records are composed of six series: Topical Files, 1970-1987; Committees; Correspondence; Topical Files, 1980-2000; Visual Materials; and Website. There is a separate collection of printed material. The majority of the records document the years from 1975 to 1999, a crucial period in the school's history as it was formally established as a school in its own right and later experienced serious budget reductions.