Archives of American Art
Marcia Tucker papers
Tucker, Marcia
AAA.tuckmarc
Archival Resource Key
2.4 Linear feet
1973-1994
The papers of curator and museum director Marcia Tucker measure 2.4 linear feet and date from 1973-1994. The collection documents Tucker's tenure as the Director of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York through artists' files, correspondence, project files, printed material, and photographs. The papers also reflect Tucker's activities as an advocate for women in the arts.
The records are in English.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The collection was donated by Marcia Tucker to the Archives of American Art in 2000.
Related Archival Materials note
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Marcia Tucker conducted by Paul Cummings, August 11-September 8, 1978.
Processing Information note
The collection was fully processed and a finding aid prepared by Joy Weiner in 2007.
Preferred Citation note
Marcia Tucker papers, 1973-1994. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Access note
Use of original papers requires an appointment.
Terms of Use
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biographical/Historical note
Curator and museum director Marcia Tucker (1940-2006) lived and worked in New York.
In 1961, Marcia Tucker received her Bachelor of Arts from Connecticut College. She then went on to earn a Masters of Art from New York University's Institute of Fine Arts in 1965. In 1969, Tucker became curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Influenced by the political ferment of the 1960s, Marcia Tucker directed her curatorial efforts to organizing exhibitions that reflected the political and social currents of the day. An early exhibit that she co-curated with James Monte, "Anti-Illusion: Procedures/Materials," was one of the first major exhibitions dedicated to Process Art or Post Minimalism. She curated major surveys for the work of Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Bruce Nauman, Richard Tuttle, and Jack Tworkov. Some of Marcia Tucker's curatorial choices were critically received by colleagues and others in the artistic community. In 1977, she left the Whitney Museum to take on the role of founding director at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. At the time, the New Museum was one of the few experimental centers for contemporary and emerging artists working in graphic arts, video, and film, serving as a venue for artists outside the mainstream, gay artists, and members of radical Hispanic and feminist groups. During her tenure at the New Museum, Tucker directed a number of major exhibitions, such as "Bad Girls," 1994; "A Labor of Love," 1996; "The Times of Our Lives," 1999, among others.
Marcia Tucker's interests extended to writing and teaching. She was the series editor for the New Museum's Documentary Sources in Contemporary Art. Tucker was also a freelance art critic; her criticism appeared in such publications as Art in America, Artforum, and ArtNews. Tucker also taught and lectured at academic institutions and art schools, including the School of Visual Arts, Bard Center for Curatorial Studies, Cornell University, and Colgate University.
In 1999, Marcia Tucker left her post as Director of the New Museum, though she continued to be engaged in the contemporary art scene. In recognition of her innovative practices as a curator, Tucker received a number of awards, including the Skowhegan Governors Award for Lifetime Services to the Arts, 1988; Bard College Award for Curatorial Achievement and the Art Table Award for Distinguished Service to the Visual Arts, 2000. She was also the recipient of three Yaddo fellowships from 2003-2005.
In 2006, Tucker died in Santa Barbara, California. She is survived by her husband, Dean McNeill, an artist and their daughter, Ruby Tucker.
Scope and Contents note
The papers of curator and museum director Marcia Tucker measure 2.4 linear feet and date from 1973-1994. The collection documents Tucker's tenure as the Director of the New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York through artists' files, correspondence, project files, printed material, and photographs. The papers also reflect Tucker's activities as an advocate for women in the arts.
Artists' files include correspondence, artists' statements, exhibition lists, press releases, printed material, and photographs of artwork. There is extensive correspondence with Richard M. Allen, James W. Johnson, Bruce Melamid, and Earl and Suzanne Staley.
Correspondence consists of a mix of professional and personal letters between Tucker and artists, business colleagues, and friends. Correspondence relating to the founding of the New Museum includes draft versions of the mission statement. Among the notable correspondents are: Louise Bourgeois, Joan Brown, Howardena Pindell, Markus Raetz, Joan Snyder, and Idelle Weber. Project files reflect Marcia Tucker's activities as an educator, writer, and advocate for women's role in the arts.
Photographs include an inscribed photograph to Marcia Tucker from Raymond Lark.
Arrangement note
The collection is organized into 5 series. The papers are arranged by material type and chronologically thereafter.
Missing Title
- Series 1: Artists' Files, 1976-1994 (Boxes 1-2; 1.3 linear feet)
- Series 2: Correspondence, 1976-1994 (Box 2; 0.6 linear feet)
- Series 3: Project Files, 1973-1990 (Boxes 2-3; 0.15 linear feet)
- Series 4: Printed Material, 1984-1994 (Box 3; 0.15 linear feet)
- Series 5: Photographs, 1985-1994 (Box 3: 0.2 linear feet)
Photographs
Museum directors -- New York (State) -- New York
Educators -- New York (State) -- New York
Women museum curators
Women educators
Women authors
Melamid, Bruce
Johnson, James W.
Brown, Joan, 1938-1990
Bourgeois, Louise, 1911-2010
Allen, Richard, 1945-
Weber, Idelle, 1932-2020
Staley, Earl, 1938-
Staley, Suzanne
Ratz, Markus
Snyder, Joan, 1940-
New Museum of Contemporary Art (New York, N.Y.)
Pindell, Howardena, 1943-
Artists' File
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1.3 Linear feet
Boxes 1-2
1976-1994
Scope and Contents note
This series contains professional and personal correspondence from artists and business colleagues to Marcia Tucker in her role as the Director of the New Museum of Contemporary Art. Letters from artists ask Tucker to review their work for inclusion in the New Museum's exhibition schedule. Files also include artists' statements and exhibition lists, printed material, and photographs, slides, and a transparency of artwork. Among the printed materials are press releases, clippings, and announcements.
Arrangement note
The files are arranged in alphabetical order by surname of artist, followed by 3 categories (various, eccentric, and miscellaneous). Material within folders is arranged chronologically.
Abramaovic, Ulay-Aguilar, Lara
Archival Resource Key
undated
1979-1993
1
1
Akin, Gwen-Albert, Brian
Archival Resource Key
undated
1988-1994
1
2
Allen, Richard M.
Archival Resource Key
undated
1977-1994
1
3
Alper, Natalie-Balsley, John
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1994
1
4
Bankemper, Joan-Bell, Lillian
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1994
1
5
Bissell, Joan-Bleiberg, Gertrude
Archival Resource Key
undated
1982-1990
1
6
Bohnen, Blythe-Bornstein, Gloria
Archival Resource Key
1979-1989
undated
1
7
Bourgeois, Louise - Byron, Judy
Archival Resource Key
1978-1994
undated
1
8
Calderon, Mark A.-Chu, Ken
Archival Resource Key
1978-1994
undated
1
9
Clarke, Richard-Collery, Paula
Archival Resource Key
1983-1993
undated
1
10
Commer, Dick-Copley, Bill
Archival Resource Key
1978-1994
1
11
Copoulos, John-Curtis, Margaret
Archival Resource Key
1987-1994
1
12
Dallas-Swan, Susan - Diskin, Wyona
Archival Resource Key
1979-1993
1
13
Doner, Michele - Dunye, Cheryl
Archival Resource Key
1983-1994
undated
1
14
Eardley, Cynthia-Erving, Lauren
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1994
1
15
Fairskye, Marilyn-Feintuch, Robert
Archival Resource Key
1978-1994
1
16
Fields, Duggie-Fisher, Mel
Archival Resource Key
undated
1984-1993
1
17
Folsom, Fred-French, Christopher
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1991
1
18
Gaard, Frank-Gleason, Day
Archival Resource Key
1979-1994
1
19
Goldberg, Barry-Gonzalez, Mark
Archival Resource Key
undated
1987-1994
1
20
Goodman, Brenda-Green, George Thurman
Archival Resource Key
1983-1994
undated
1
21
Haacke, Hans-Harvey, Charles
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1994
1
22
Hecht, David-Hilton, Joseph
Archival Resource Key
1979-1990
undated
1
23
Hitner, Chuck-Hunsinger, Jason
Archival Resource Key
undated
1984-1992
1
24
Jaar, Alfred-Jecko, Mary Louise
Archival Resource Key
1979-1986
1
25
Johnson, James W.
Archival Resource Key
1986-1993
1
26
Jones, Lou-Joseph, Rene Michelle
Archival Resource Key
1978-1991
undated
1
27
Kasher, Steven-Keating, Edward
Archival Resource Key
1985-1993
undated
1
28
Kimme, Luise-Klebanoff, Charlotte
Archival Resource Key
1978-1988
undated
1
29
Korman, Bette-Kuh, Katharine
Archival Resource Key
1984-1994
1
30
Laduke, Betty-Lew, Leslie
Archival Resource Key
1978-1993
undated
1
31
Lindsay, Doug - Lyons, Maria
Archival Resource Key
1979-1990
undated
1
32
MacPhee, Medrie-Meredith, Ann
Archival Resource Key
1984-1994
undated
1
33
Melamid, Brad
Archival Resource Key
1990-1993
undated
1
34
Miller, Kay-Myers, Christopher
Archival Resource Key
undated
1979-1990
1
35
Nakashashi, Kenji-Neustein, Joshua
Archival Resource Key
1987-1993
1
36
O'Grady, Lorraine-Shane, Patrick
Archival Resource Key
1989-1994
undated
1
37
Pernotto, James-Prince, Richard
Archival Resource Key
1978-1994
undated
1
38
Quinlen, Cathy-Redmond, Russell
Archival Resource Key
1982-1994
undated
1
39
Ripley, Curtis-Ryder, Mahler
Archival Resource Key
1978-1990
undated
1
40
Saar, Bettye-Schwartz, Karl
Archival Resource Key
1978-1993
undated
2
1
Segalove, Ilene-Shorr, Kenneth
Archival Resource Key
1984-1994
undated
2
2
Silver, Judy-Sonfist, Alan
Archival Resource Key
1976-1994
2
3
Sperry, Ann-Strider, Marjorie
Archival Resource Key
1977-1993
2
4
Sullivan, Jan-Thompson, Mimi
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1994
2
5
Tielkemeier, Ken-Twaddle, Randy L.
Archival Resource Key
undated
1979-1994
2
6
Ukeles, Mierle Laderman-Vicoso, Mayo
Archival Resource Key
undated
1979-1993
2
7
Wadia, Judith-Welsler, Victor
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1987
2
8
Wexler, Alice-Woodring, Robbie
Archival Resource Key
undated
1978-1986
2
9
Yanagi, Yukinori-Zuazo, Ignacio
Archival Resource Key
undated
1984-1994
2
10
Various Artists
Archival Resource Key
undated
1983-1994
2
11
Eccentric Artists
Archival Resource Key
1984-1985
undated
2
12
Miscellaneous Slides
Archival Resource Key
undated
1981
2
13
Correspondence
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
0.6 Linear feet
Box 2
1976-1994
Scope and Contents note
This series contains mostly copies of incoming and outgoing correspondence with Marcia Tucker from artists, business colleagues, and friends. Included are invitations, postcards, and greeting cards. Attachments to letters include exhibition announcements, slides, and transparencies of works of art. Also found are materials relating to the New Museum of Contemporary Art, including annotated typescripts of memoranda, an agenda, and drafts of a mission statement.
Arrangement note
Files are arranged by subject and filed thereafter in chronological order.
The New Museum
Archival Resource Key
1977-1986
2
14-17
Correspondence with Artists, Colleagues, and Friends
Archival Resource Key
undated
1976-1994
2
18-40
Project Files
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
0.15 Linear feet
Boxes 2-3
1973-1990
Scope and Contents note
This series consists of a partial overview of Marcia Tucker's activities as an art critic, educator, and as a supporter of women in the arts and alternative art spaces. Files contain a variety of material, such as letters, typescripts, notes, reports, proposals, and printed material.
Arrangement note
Project files are arranged by subject and thereafter in chronological order.
Nelson Atkins Museum of Fine Arts, Marcia Tucker's Essay on Terry Allen's Work
Archival Resource Key
1981
undated
2
41
Bard College, Proposal: Master of Arts in Curatorial Studies
Archival Resource Key
1990
2
42
The Contemporary Arts Center Conference
Archival Resource Key
1980
3
1
De Facto Censorship: Covenant of Silence by Howardena Pindell
Archival Resource Key
1990
3
2
Ree Morton Scholarship Fund
Archival Resource Key
1977
3
3
Ree Morton Scholarship Fund
Women's Caucus for Art
Archival Resource Key
1973-1979
undated
3
4-5
Printed Material
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
0.15 Linear feet
Box 3
1984-1994
Scope and Contents note
This series houses announcements and brochures of exhibitions held at other venues, clippings, and miscellaneous printed material. Additional printed material is found in Series 1: Artists' Files, Series 2: Correspondence, and Series 3: Project Files.
Arrangement note
Materials are arranged by format and thereafter filed in chronological order.
Announcements
Archival Resource Key
1984-1994
undated
3
6-9
Exhibition Brochures
Archival Resource Key
undated
1993-1994
3
10
Clippings
Archival Resource Key
1985-1993
undated
3
11
Miscellaneous Printed Material
Archival Resource Key
undated
1984-1987
3
12-13
Photographs
Series 5
Archival Resource Key
0.2 Linear feet
Box 3
1985-1994
Scope and Contents note
This series houses photographs and a transparency of a work of by Frederico Guzman. Also included are slides of artwork by James Hill, Bill Schiffer, and an unidentified artist. Additional photographs are also located in Series 1: Artists' Files and Series 2: Correspondence.
Arrangement note
Photographs are arranged by format and thereafter filed in chronological order..
Photographs
Archival Resource Key
1985
undated
3
14
Slides of Artwork (undated, 1950-1994)
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
15
Transparency of Artwork (1994)
Archival Resource Key
undated
3
16