The archive
The Women’s Art Register collection holds documentation of the work of over 5000 artists. Duplicate artist and subject folders are available for public viewing at the Richmond Library, containing examples of artwork, biographical information, catalogues and ephemera relating to historical and contemporary women artists.
Our complete collection is available by appointment, including a further 1000 information folders, 12500 slides, digital images, special education kits, books, catalogues, posters, journals and W.A.R. publications.
Interested in viewing our archive? Get in touch!
We are currently working hard to update our catalogue and enable online access. The Women's Art Register collection will be searchable via Victorian Collections in 2024.
Submit your archive
All members of the Women's Art Register are encouraged to submit documentation of their professional practice into our archive. We’re also interested in donations of ephemera or documentation that relate to past and present Australian women artists—if you have items you would like to contribute to the collection, please get in touch with us first.
Our collection is accessed by artists, researchers, curators, students and arts workers for research, education programs, exhibitions and other projects. We have an open and inclusive policy of collecting items from all artists who identify as women (cis and trans inclusive) or gender diverse. Place your work in the context of over 5000 artists and join Australia's living archive of women's art practice.
Our volunteers will archive your materials for you, or you are welcome to visit in person and assist. You are also encouraged to periodically send us new material for your archive. Please make a copy of the deposits you have sent us for your own records.
FORMAT
Physical items
We accept hard copy documents and files including CVs, reviews, catalogues, books, articles, theses, letters, diaries, slides, photographs or other documentation of your art practice. Please send two copies of physical materials where possible, as we maintain duplicate files in the Richmond Library on open access. We cannot accept original artworks.
Digital items
Preferred long-term digital formats include TIFF/JPEG (images), MPEG-4 (video), PDF-A (documents) or WAV/AAC (sound). These can be sent via USB, email (depending on size), online transfer platforms including WeTransfer or shared links from Dropbox.
TRANSFER
Contact us at hello@womensartregister.org before posting or digitally transferring your documents.
Transfers will only be accepted if they include:
A signed Women's Art Register Copyright Agreement, AND
A completed Image Description List, with up to 6 preferred keywords for catalogue search functionality