The San Diego Museum of Art Library is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.
There is no in-person access for the public nor members at this time. Reopening of The San Diego Museum of Art Research Library and Archives for members by appointment will be announced at a later date. If you have any questions or needs, please contact the Library at library@sdmart.org or 619.696.1959 with a detailed message.
About the Library
The Library’s ambition is to facilitate research concerning The San Diego Museum of Art, and its community, preserve its institutional history, and inspire lifelong learning.
The Library, located through the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court gates and next to the May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden, is the region’s largest library specializing in the visual arts. The Library’s holdings comprise more than 30,000 volumes covering a wide range of art topics, with a special emphasis on Italian Renaissance, Spanish Baroque, Indian miniature painting, and Chinese art.
The Library maintains an extensive collection of artist files containing ephemera, articles, and other information on more than 30,000 individuals, from Old Masters to contemporary artists. The Library houses a collection of rare books, prints, and periodicals that provide a deeper understanding of visual culture and art history. Most notable within the rare book collection are the catalogues raisonnés and East Asian art folios.
Located inside the Research Library, the Archive is the repository for a wide range of materials pertaining to the history of the Museum and of the arts in San Diego. The collection contains items relating to key figures in the growth of the Museum such as the Bridges and Putnam families, Earle Grant and Pliny Munger, Dr. Clarence and Mrs. Ellis Spreckels Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Irving Snyder, and the Museum’s first director, Reginald Poland. Papers, letters, photographs, and sketchbooks of several important artists including Robert Henri, Donal Hord, William Templeton Johnson, Alice Klauber, Alfred Mitchell, Walter Pach, Arthur Putnam, Roland Schneider, Florence Kemmler Schneider, and Fritz Werner are also in the collection.
For general inquiries please contact the Library at library@sdmart.org or 619.696.1959.
Donate
The San Diego Museum of Art Library is continuously accepting donations. Donated items will be added to the Library’s collection, used in educational programming, or sold at the next book sale. (Held annually on the third Tuesday of July.) If you are interested in donating items, please contact the Library at library@sdmart.org or 619.696.1959.
Become a Volunteer
The San Diego Museum of Art Library is looking for volunteers to help in various areas of the Library. Previous library or museum experience is encouraged but not mandatory, and all disciplines are welcome. If you are interested in volunteering at The San Diego Museum of Art Library, please visit this link or contact volunteer@sdmart.org for more information.
