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Home page Welcome to the Library and Permanent Collection of the Art Students League of New York! The League’s library is a non-circulating collection of over 4,000 volumes built largely by the donations from generations of artists. Its unique strengths include instructional texts on various artistic media, manuals on artists' materials, and books written by and about League artists. The library is located between the second and third floors in our historic Beaux-Arts building in Manhattan and is open to League students, members, and instructors. Researchers are welcome by appointment. More than 2,600 works of art by over 1000 unique artists who have taught and/or studied at the League comprise its permanent collection of artworks. This collection ranges from sculpture and paintings to prints and drawings, reflecting the disciplines taught at the League. In recent years, efforts have been made to catalogue and digitize these holdings. Here, they are presented as a comprehensive and authoritative database for use by the public—scholars, artists, and art lovers around the world. Digital images of objects in the League’s collection are available for research and publication. Reproductions may be licensed for personal, scholarly, or commercial uses. For all such inquiries, please contact Tiffany Miller, Registrar. Searching the Collections The Keyword Search allows you to perform a general search of the collections. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk () as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive. Donating Artworks It means a great deal to us that you are considering the League as the home for your beloved works of art. We actively acquire artwork created by League students and instructors to expand and advance our collection through generous donations. Every potential donation must be reviewed by the League’s Collections Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis. As much as we would love to accept all donations, not all gifts fit within our scope and mission, and the League has the right to refuse gifts or bequests. Should your artwork be approved to join the League’s permanent collection, it will stand strong among world-class artworks that will delight visitors and foster a rich learning experience. If a work of art is not approved, we may be able to work with you to find alternative museums/ institutions for your generosity. With each work considered for acquisition, the League follows a formal process to determine the following: Does the work fit the League’s long-term collections strategy? How can this work be incorporated into our exhibitions? Do we have the long-term storage capacity to house this work? Do we have the funds to commit to the costs associated with acquiring the work? Please, do not ship, send, or bring original artworks to the League without an appointment; the League cannot return artworks to senders. Inquiries in person or by telephone will not be considered. To submit artworks for donation consideration to the League, please fill out our Artwork Donation Form in as much detail as possible. If you have additional questions about donating to the League, please contact Esther Moerdler, Curatorial Assistant. Notes on the Collection The League does not conserve, authenticate, or appraise artwork. Online resources for such endeavors include the Smithsonian Institute’s “How do I research my art?” and “Caring For Your Paintings.” You also can consult art dealers or art appraisers in your area or contact auction houses for advice. To determine the value of an object or to find an appraiser, please contact the Art Dealers Association of America or the American Society of Appraisers.

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Home page

Welcome to the Library and Permanent Collection of the Art Students League of New York!

The League’s library is a non-circulating collection of over 4,000 volumes built largely by the donations from generations of artists. Its unique strengths include instructional texts on various artistic media, manuals on artists' materials, and books written by and about League artists. The library is located between the second and third floors in our historic Beaux-Arts building in Manhattan and is open to League students, members, and instructors. Researchers are welcome by appointment.

More than 2,600 works of art by over 1000 unique artists who have taught and/or studied at the League comprise its permanent collection of artworks. This collection ranges from sculpture and paintings to prints and drawings, reflecting the disciplines taught at the League. In recent years, efforts have been made to catalogue and digitize these holdings. Here, they are presented as a comprehensive and authoritative database for use by the public—scholars, artists, and art lovers around the world.

Digital images of objects in the League’s collection are available for research and publication. Reproductions may be licensed for personal, scholarly, or commercial uses. For all such inquiries, please contact Tiffany Miller, Registrar.

Searching the Collections

The Keyword Search allows you to perform a general search of the collections. Keyword searches use OR as the default connector between words (e.g. a search for Hanley Ranch will return records associated with Hanley OR Ranch). If you want to find records where both keywords are found, type in AND between the two words. To search for a specific phrase, be sure to put the phrase within quotes (e.g. "Rocky Pine Ranch"). You can also use the asterisk (*) as a wildcard (e.g. a search for histor* would come up with records containing history, histories, historical, etc.). Searches are not case sensitive.

Donating Artworks

It means a great deal to us that you are considering the League as the home for your beloved works of art. We actively acquire artwork created by League students and instructors to expand and advance our collection through generous donations. Every potential donation must be reviewed by the League’s Collections Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis. As much as we would love to accept all donations, not all gifts fit within our scope and mission, and the League has the right to refuse gifts or bequests.

Should your artwork be approved to join the League’s permanent collection, it will stand strong among world-class artworks that will delight visitors and foster a rich learning experience. If a work of art is not approved, we may be able to work with you to find alternative museums/ institutions for your generosity.

With each work considered for acquisition, the League follows a formal process to determine the following:

Does the work fit the League’s long-term collections strategy?
How can this work be incorporated into our exhibitions?
Do we have the long-term storage capacity to house this work?
Do we have the funds to commit to the costs associated with acquiring the work?

Please, do not ship, send, or bring original artworks to the League without an appointment; the League cannot return artworks to senders. Inquiries in person or by telephone will not be considered.

To submit artworks for donation consideration to the League, please fill out our Artwork Donation Form in as much detail as possible. If you have additional questions about donating to the League, please contact Esther Moerdler, Curatorial Assistant.

Notes on the Collection

The League does not conserve, authenticate, or appraise artwork. Online resources for such endeavors include the Smithsonian Institute’s “How do I research my art?” and “Caring For Your Paintings.” You also can consult art dealers or art appraisers in your area or contact auction houses for advice. To determine the value of an object or to find an appraiser, please contact the Art Dealers Association of America or the American Society of Appraisers.

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