The Papers of Michael Conforti, 1995-2015

The Papers of Michael Conforti, 1995-2015, include documents accumulated by the director’s office before and during Michael Conforti’s tenure as Director of The Clark Art Institute. Records contained in this collection include general office files such as meeting minutes, budgets, loan and grant information, strategic and long-range planning, exhibition planning files which include the acquisition of art objects for planned shows and for general museum use, and information for staff as well as new employees.

Series I, Clark Administrative Files, contains documents created for and by The Clark. The records include general departmental files, details for both the Research and Academic Program and its fellowship program, job descriptions, scholars' personal records, Colloquia and Symposia records, and documentation on the Clark Library. Other records in this series include strategic plans, food service documents, and information related to Clark hosted events, The Clark Forum, and The Clark Prize. Records in The Clark Afdministrative Files are distinct from General Administrative Files, which are related to international arts organizations.

Series II, Individuals, contains the records of museum patrons, business partners, Clark Members, and community members associated with The Clark Art Institute. This series is organized alphabetically by the subject's last name and consists of documents such as call reports, membership and patron renewals, general correspondence such as cards and handwritten notes, as well as articles, biographical material, memos, thank you notes, and personal letters.

Series III, Board of Trustees, contains records related to specific members of the Clark's Board of Trustees as well as more general information related to meeting minutes, self-evaluations, presentations, audits, Trustee lists, and information on the Clark's nominating and governance committee.

Series IV, Outside Organizations, contains records related to organizations involved with The Clark during Mr. Conforti’s tenure as director. The records include information on each organization’s involvement with The Clark. The records include correspondence, informational packets, personal notes, financial documents, invoices, articles, general inquiries to and from The Clark, as well as partnerships for programming and other opportunities with individual organizations.

Series V, The Capital and Expansion Campaigns for The Clark, contains records produced during the Clark's Capital and Expansion projects, approximately dated 1997 to 2015, including financial forecasts, case statements, brochures, institutional positioning documents, donor profiles, and general capital information. Also included in this series are records establishing the Clark's department of Advancement and Development. This department was and is responsible for establishing procedures for fundraising, gift-giving, and soliciting prospective investors and charitable endeavors. The department of Development was later reorganized as the department of Advancement. The records within this subseries include fundraising details, prospect lists, grant information, details on ClarkNEXT and 2M Alive, as well as details of gifts to The Clark, and the management of property and real estate.

The Advancement Department also oversaw the Morton/Manton gift in 2007. This gift was used for the expansion and renovation of the Manton Research Center and included a substantial gift of fine art for The Clark's permanent collection. The records for the Manton gift contain correspondence, appraisals, reports, meeting minutes, loan agreements, as well as a press release dedication. Details on the building renovation were kept with Expansion Project materials. Portions of this series are closed to research.

The records for the Expansion Project include information on the construction of the Lunder and Clark Centers and grounds works during that Expansion. These files include site plans, layouts and designs, architect searches, construction consultations, furniture and equipment purchases, space planning, engineering firm consultations, as well as the meeting minutes and notes for the Buildings and Grounds Committee at The Clark during the campaign.

Series VI, Exhibiting and Art Collecting, contains details on the planning and presentation of exhibitions, curation of shows, research and acquisition of objects, information on the Curatorial Department, meeting minutes, and appraisals. Also included is information on the Clark's publications program, such as catalogue drafts, committee meeting minutes, advising meetings, and advertising. The final subseries includes documents related to the travel of the permanent collection's tour. This includes information on trips to Japan, the United Kingdom, Paris, China, Bahrain, and locations within the United States. The files include photographs, itineraries, notes, meeting minutes, brochures, and pamphlets, as well as travel planning and details.

Series VII, Regional Records, includes records related to local and regional organizations in Williamstown and Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It is organized into three subseries. The first subseries contains general regional records, including documents related to Berkshire County specific businesses, organizations, boards, and committees. The general records include files for 1Berkshire, Berkshire Business Roundtable, Berkshire Visitors Bureau, Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, as well as a soil survey of Berkshire County. Subseries B includes records related to the establishment of Mass MoCA and the museum’s relationship with the Clark, including general organization files, Trustees’ information, lease agreements, plans for the creation of Kidspace, and details on the Clark's presence at the Mass MoCA campus in North Adams, MA. Subseries C contains records about organizations in Williamstown, including information on the town of Williamstown, Williams College, and the Williamstown Art Conservation Center (WACC). Williams College records include information on the College, plans for the Graduate Program in Art History, and records related to the Oakley Center, Luce professorships, and The Williams College Museum of Art. Records related to The Williamstown Art Conservation Center include general information, leasing details, articles, bylaws and polices, and financial documentation for the facility.

Series VIII, General Administration Records, include records produced by and for non-Clark-specific organizations. The records include details on ARIAH and RILA meetings; visits with persons of import, general audits, reports, and economic strategies for museums and cultural organizations in New England; articles and essays, interviews, AAMD surveys, correspondence, events, interviews, and official forms.

Series IX, Multimedia, includes photographs, slides, and audio cassettes that have been rehoused and arranged into appropriate containers. CD's and DVD's, when possible, have been retained within their original folders. The photographs include pictures of architecture, events, people, as well as images from travels both nationally and internationally. The cassette tapes are dated from April 6 through April 8, with no year designated.

Series X, Oversize Material, includes material such as maps, certificates of accreditation, and presentation material. Oversized items have been rehoused when possible or placed in flat files. Records in this series include long range planning books, prospect information, event invitations, and committee planning. Also included are printouts of presentations given, LEED certificates, and more site plans and layouts.