Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1960s-1990s (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
45 boxes
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Artist Placement Group (APG) emerged in London in the 1960s. The idea of artist placements took its focus from the group of UK artists, including John Latham and Barbara Steveni, who were experimenting with new art forms. Initiated and directed by Steveni, the APG pioneered the concept of art in the social context; from the outset her concept of 'placement' directly acknowledged the isolated and marginal position that artists held within society and was an effort to overcome this situation. The APG acting outside the conventional art gallery system, attempted to place artists, through negotiation and agreement, within industry and in government departments. Artists such as Keith Arnatt, Ian Breakwell, Stuart Brisley, and Barry Flanagan, had important placements or early associations with the APG.
Today the organisation exists as Organisation and Imagination (O + I), and describes itself as 'an independent, radical international artist initiative, a network consultancy and research organisation'. Its board of directors, members and specialist advisors include leading artists, senior civil servants, politicians, scientists, and academics from various disciplines. The name was changed in 1989 in order to distinguish the initiative from arts administrative placement schemes set up following the APG example.
Repository
Archival history
GB-70-tga-20042 1960s-1990s Collection (fonds) 45 boxes The Artist Placement Group (APG)
The Artist Placement Group (APG) emerged in London in the 1960s. The idea of artist placements took its focus from the group of UK artists, including John Latham and Barbara Steveni, who were experimenting with new art forms. Initiated and directed by Steveni, the APG pioneered the concept of art in the social context; from the outset her concept of 'placement' directly acknowledged the isolated and marginal position that artists held within society and was an effort to overcome this situation. The APG acting outside the conventional art gallery system, attempted to place artists, through negotiation and agreement, within industry and in government departments. Artists such as Keith Arnatt, Ian Breakwell, Stuart Brisley, and Barry Flanagan, had important placements or early associations with the APG.
Today the organisation exists as Organisation and Imagination (O + I), and describes itself as 'an independent, radical international artist initiative, a network consultancy and research organisation'. Its board of directors, members and specialist advisors include leading artists, senior civil servants, politicians, scientists, and academics from various disciplines. The name was changed in 1989 in order to distinguish the initiative from arts administrative placement schemes set up following the APG example.
Purchased by Tate Archive from Barbara Steveni and the O + I Group, January 2004.
Records of the Artist Placement Group (APG), [1960-1999]. Including files relating to: their approaches and placements within industry and government departments; the APG's involvement with art colleges, galleries, universities and artists' groups; lectures and symposia; correspondence with artists; the day-to-day running of the Group; publications, press and publicity; audiovisual material and photographs.
Arranged as:
1.Correspondence;
2.Artist's Statements;
3.Admin and Constitutional records;
- Printed Material;
- Press;
6.Promotional Material;
7.Photographs; - Audiovisual Material;
9.Original Artwork;
10.Ephemeral items
Open. Access to all registered researchers.
Usual copyright restrictions apply.
English
Online and paper catalogue available.
Entry compiled by Suzanne Keyte for AIM25 from the Tate Archive catalogue. Compiled in compliance with the General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD (G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997. 2010 Art Artists Government policy Artist Placement Group (APG) Government
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Purchased by Tate Archive from Barbara Steveni and the O + I Group, January 2004.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the Artist Placement Group (APG), [1960-1999]. Including files relating to: their approaches and placements within industry and government departments; the APG's involvement with art colleges, galleries, universities and artists' groups; lectures and symposia; correspondence with artists; the day-to-day running of the Group; publications, press and publicity; audiovisual material and photographs.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Arranged as:
1.Correspondence;
2.Artist's Statements;
3.Admin and Constitutional records;
- Printed Material;
- Press;
6.Promotional Material;
7.Photographs; - Audiovisual Material;
9.Original Artwork;
10.Ephemeral items
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open. Access to all registered researchers.
Conditions governing reproduction
Usual copyright restrictions apply.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Online and paper catalogue available.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with the General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD (G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English