MAKE, the organisation for women in the arts

Scope and Content

The collection includes all aspects of the Library development and activities: Early Women's Art Library Papers from 1979 onwards, constitution, correspondence with Charity Commission and certificate of charitable status, correspondence relating to funding, information about projects including Greetings Cards, 1988; Picnic at the Palace Shape Event, 1988; Diary Exhibition 1986-1987; Women and Humour, 1987 and Four Women Artists from Eastern Europe, 1985. National Society for Education in Art and Design Conference, 1998; Feminist Art Criticism papers and 10th year conference, 1990; Education Packs 1995-1999; Self-Portrait exhibition 1996.

Administrative / Biographical History

The Women's Art Library (also known as MAKE) was originally set up as the Women Artists slide Library in London in the late 1970s. This initiative from feminist artists' developed into an arts organisation publishing catalogues, books and a magazine from 1983-2002. During this time women artists deposited unique documentation on their work and created personal files that functioned together as an alternative public space. Thousands of artists from around the world are represented in some form in this collection. In 2004 the collection became part of Goldsmiths Library Special Collections. At Goldsmiths The Women's Art Library (MAKE) continued to collect slides, artist statements, exhibition ephemera, catalogues, and press material in addition to audio and videotapes, photographs and CD-Roms. As at 2009 they continued to welcome donations from women artists to help develop this collection.

Access Information

Access for visitors is by appointment only.

Other Finding Aids

List available at the Library (database)

Archivist's Note

Description by Althea Greenan, MAKE 2002. Submitted to the Archives Hub as part of Genesis 2009 Project.