Help! Researching American Rock Poster Art

[jennygirl]

Hello,

I am currently pursuing my MA in Museum Management from Montclair State University in New Jersey and am researching American rock poster art for a semester long project in Exhibition Planning and Management. Music is an essential part of my life and I have had an interest in poster art for some time.

The assignment is basically to create a mock exhibition plan as realistically as possible acting as exhibition designer and curator. This includes choosing a theme and works to support the theme, finding funding information and creating a budget, and planning public programming and marketing.

I am contacting you in hopes that you may be able to steer me in the right direction as to where I might find specific information. As I said part of the assignment is to be as realistic as possible. I am looking to include 50 to 100 works that illustrate the evolution of the movement from the 1960s to today. Similar to the way the information is presented in the film "American Artifact" or in The Art of Rock books but much smaller in scale. Below I have outlined some general questions.

• Is it possible for public institutions to borrow specific works from collectors? If so what are the fees and who could I contact for specifics?
• What are the insurance policies in regards to transporting and displaying posters?
• Do you know where I can find links to previous exhibitions of American rock poster art?

Any information, tips, or general guidance is greatly appreciated!

-Jenny

[DenisMutter]

Jenny - you are in the right place, but you might also want to contact the American Poster Institute (API - American Poster Institute), API is an organization formed by working poster artists and poster aficionados to support the work of the gig poster community.

Many of the artists that create gig posters are present almost daily here. I would suggest you look around, explore posters you're interested in, and contact the artists directly with questions.

[DenisMutter]

Additionally, there is a newer volume by Grushkin/King called "Art of Modern Rock" that details the exploits of contemporary poster greats. And Gigposters has published one volume with another on the way, of "Gigposters: Rock Show art in the 21st Century" that would be well worth checking out.

[jennygirl]

Thank you!! I will check those out... I also just bought "Art of Modern Rock". So much great work it is difficult to narrow down!

[danstiles]

Man, I wish the internet had existed in a useful form when I was in college.

[RichieGoodtimes]

If you are cute, you may call me and I will tell you everything you would ever want to know about rock posters. I'm the resident expert.

[El Roacho]

also if you are still interested, the denver art museum had a HUGE exhibit last year that was exactly like you are talking about and planning. you could give them a call/ hit them up via internet and get the details. it was put together from personal collections from all over the world. very impressive.