National Gallery of Art Archives
Conducting Research
For most researchers, the first step in conducting research in the National Gallery of Art Archives is to send an email ([email protected]), providing as much information as possible about the subject and purpose of your research or the information you are seeking. Archives staff will respond to confirm whether sources are available and to direct you to materials that may be of interest.
Selected finding aids are available online, as well as the Guide to the Oral History Collection. Finding aids are guides to the collections of records and papers in the archives. These finding aids provide historical or biographical information about the creator of the records, describe the organization of the materials, and list the folders with brief descriptions of their contents.
To explore digitized archival collections and associated materials, visit the archives main page or see Resources menu on the left.
Appointments are required to consult records in the research room which is open to the public by appointment, Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding federal holidays).
Request your appointment via email. Please allow a minimum of two weeks' advance notice for planned visits.
We ask all researchers to review the research room rules (PDF 161KB) and complete a registration form (PDF 150KB) prior to their appointment.
Government-issued identification, such as a driver's license or passport, is required to gain entry to the research room, located in a nonpublic area of the West Building of the National Gallery of Art.