ARLIS/NA 54th Annual Conference

In an era marked by ongoing budget cuts, shrinking storage space, and a surge in born-digital records creation, archives face a growing challenge: How do we determine what to keep? Focusing specifically on artists’ archives, this panel discussion will convene experienced archival professionals working across museums, academic libraries, and artist foundations, in both Canada and the USA to explore the complex strategies and evolving criteria involved in appraisal and collection development.

The panel will address the increasing necessity for appraisal, weeding, and sampling under institutional pressures, and how decisions must balance institutional priorities with the inherent richness and messiness of preserving an artistic practice. Artists’ archives—often composed of highly personal, eclectic, and unconventional materials—do not always fit neatly into traditional institutional frameworks. As such, appraisal requires deep contextual knowledge and collaborative engagement with artists and their estates, and a willingness to advocate for nuance in what might otherwise be seen as ephemeral material.

Panelists will bring their specialized experience, highlighting approaches to appraising both physical and born-digital materials. Particular attention will be given to handling accruals, which pose logistical and intellectual challenges as some artists continue to work and produce after the initial donation. These additions often fall outside of typical processing workflows and call for agile, iterative approaches to appraisal and processing.

The discussion will also explore ways that professionals are resisting increased limitations—budgetary, spatial, and administrative—to ensure that artists' archives continue to be collected and preserved equitably across institutions. How can we maintain commitments to underrepresented voices and experimental practices when resources are stretched thin? What ethical obligations do institutions have when facing these limitations?

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, this session will provide a space for reflection on best practices and peer exchange. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the tensions at play, implementable strategies, and the knowledge to advocate for thoughtful and sustainable appraisal practices.