Guide to the Rhode Island School of Design Alumni Association records , 1895-1962

Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Fleet Library at RISD
2 College Street
Providence, RI 02903
Tel: 401-709-5922
Fax: 401-709-5932
email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Published in 2009

Collection Overview

Title:	Rhode Island School of Design. Alumni Association records
Date range:	1895-1962
Creator:	Rhode Island School of Design. Alumni Association
Extent:	1 linear feet
Abstract:	The records document the activities of the RISD Alumni Association including meeting minutes, 1905-1943; membership, 1906-1921; traveling scholarship fund, 1911-1937, bulk 1911-1914; Alumni Fund Drives, 1944-1957; AA President's Office, 1934-1936; constitution and by-laws; banquets, invitations and announcements, shows and publications
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Rhode Island School of Design Archives
Collection number:	16.1

Scope & content

The records document the activities of the RISD Alumni Association including meeting minutes, 1905-1943; membership, 1906-1921; traveling scholarship fund, 1911-1937 (bulk 1911-1914); Alumni Fund Drives, 1944-1957; AA President's Office, 1934-1936; constitution and by-laws; banquets, invitations and announcements, shows and publications.

In addition, records kept by the Alumni Association Treasurer and Secretary include reports, bank statements and checks, deposit and disbursement account books, receipts, the Bristol County Chapter records, and records regarding the Tea Dances and Scholarships.

The Arthur Heintzelman papers documenting his trip to Europe in 1911 after receiving the first RISD Alumni Association Traveling Scholarship are filed with the records.

Access Points

Subject Organizations

• Rhode Island School of Design. Alumni Association

Subject Names

• Drury, William Holland, 1888-1960
• Dyer, Anna J.
• Heintzelman, Arthur William, 1891-1965

Subject Organizations

• Rhode Island School of Design. Office of Alumni and Career Services

Subject Topics

• Art--Scholarships, fellowships, etc.
• Rhode Island School of Design--Alumni and alumnae

Subject Topics

• Education
• Art

Document Types

• Minutes
• Constitutions
• Bylaws (administrative records)
• Invitations
• Announcements
• Postcards
• Financial records

Arrangement

Organized into three series:

• I. Records, 1895-1962
• II. Treasurer's records, 1930-1960
• III. Traveling Scholarship records, 1911

Historical note

Organized in June 1894, the Alumni Association created its first constitution the following year. All teachers and pupils of RISD who paid dues were eligible for membership after four months with the School, changed to one year in 1897. The 1897 constitution allowed for honorary members who were "well known as patrons of the school or the subjects taught therein." Members elected officers and Executive Committee members, held annual business and social meetings, sponsored gift sales, arranged lectures, and established scholarships including the Alumni Traveling Scholarship (1911).

The 1935 constitution required that active members be graduates or seniors about to graduate. Active members could, by two-thirds vote, grant honorary or associate membership to those interested in RISD and fine or applied arts. The 1944 constitution created a Governing Board comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms, the presidents of the Local Chapters, the RISD Chief Executive Officer, Director of Alumni Relations, and the Assistant in Alumni Relations. The Board could elect officers and set up committees. Membership dues were abolished. Local Chapters required at least ten members. RISD began publication of the Alumni Bulletin in 1944 to provide information to alumni regarding the activities of the Association and the School.

In 1971 a fifty member Alumni Council, selected according to geographic location and continued interest in the School, replaced the Governing Board. An Executive Committee held operational responsibility for the activities of the Council. Other committees included Design Education, Membership and Nomination, Alumni Communications, Annual Fund, and Continuing Education. As of 1994, the Alumni Association operates in coordination with the Office of Alumni and Career Services.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	The use of certain documents and collections may be restricted. Please consult the Archives staff for further details.
Use of the materials:	Permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from archival materials must be obtained in writing from the Archives. The researcher assumes full responsibility for use of material and for conformity to all applicable laws, including copyright.
Preferred citation:	Rhode Island School of Design. Alumni Association records, Rhode Island School of Design Archives.
Contact information:	Rhode Island School of Design Archives Fleet Library at RISD 2 College Street Providence, RI 02903 Tel: 401-709-5922 Fax: 401-709-5932 email: risdarchives@risd.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The records were transferred from the RISD Library.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Douglas Doe.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Jessica Bitely 2009 February 20
Revisions:	2022 July 7 Revised by Douglas Doe
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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