Finding Aid for Mingei International Museum Records, 1978-2018

Collection

Identifier: casdmim_ai_0001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The museum's permanent collection comprises more than 26,000 objects from over 160 countries, dating from ancient times to the present day. The museum’s archive consists of papers, publications, photographs, press clippings and media releases, slides, audiotapes, videotapes, films, memorabilia and objects.

Dates

1978-2018

Creator

Mingei International Museum (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

No interpretive restriction is placed on material. Separate permissions are to be obtained for publishing material. Property rights to the physical object belong to Mingei International Museum. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where Mingei International Museum does not hold the copyright. Confidential records related to security or operations and records containing personal information, legal communications or information about donors are permanently closed. Mingei International Museum reserves the right to restrict access to any records held by the Institutional Archives.

Extent

200 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Mingei International Museum opened in 1978 as Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art in San Diego, California. The museum is dedicated to furthering the understanding of art of the people (mingei) from all eras and cultures of the world. The museum collects and exhibits folk art, craft and design used in daily life created by known and unknown craftsmen, from traditional cultures of the past and present, and by historical and contemporary designers. The Museum’s first location (1978-1996) was a 6,000 square-foot space in University Towne Centre, a shopping mall near La Jolla. In August 1996, the Museum relocated to a 41,000-square-foot facility in historic Balboa Park. In 2003, a second satellite museum opened in Escondido, CA, which was closed in June of 2010. On September 4, 2018, the Balboa Park facility closed for a major transformation, with plans to reopen in 2021.