University of Minnesota

Collecting, preserving, and maintaining the archives of a performing arts organization is a complex process that presents significant challenges both for the archivist and for the organization itself. The complexity of the challenge often discourages theaters from addressing the problem fully. Yet, it is critical to preserve the cultural legacy of America’s theaters. The University of Minnesota Libraries and its partner, the Penumbra Theatre, will conduct a one-year collaborative planning project to assess interest in and barriers to archival preservation of a theater’s full range of activities. The project will convene a national forum of artistic directors, board chairs, and administrative or marketing staff from regional and local theaters of varying sizes to identify factors that would assist theaters in archival preparation and planning.