H. Harvard Arnason records

Collection Overview

Noted art historian Hjorvadur Harvard Arnason (HHA) was born on April 24, 1909. HHA's college education began at Northwestern University, where he majored in English and comparative literature and graduated in 1931. As a graduate student at Northwestern University, HHA majored in English literature and minored in art history; his thesis was titled, "The Platonism of Sir Thomas More." Subsequently, HHA received his M.F.A. in medieval art at Princeton University in 1939. From 1939 to 1942 HHA was a lecturer at New York City's Hunter College and served as a research assistant at the Frick Collection. In previous years HHA had taught at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Additionally, HHA served as professor and chairman of the University of Minnesota's Department of Art from 1947 to 1961. Under HHA's administration at the University of Minnesota, the Department of Art became one of the most distinguished in the United States. Prior to his tenure at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation (SRGF), HHA acted as director of the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, 1951-1960. Under his direction, the Walker Center became one of the leading museums of modern art, noted particularly for its original exhibitions, publications, and extensive educational programs. HHA was the author of many monographs and articles on both modern and medieval art and served extensively in professional capacities with the United States Department of State, as well as other government and public agencies.

HHA became Vice President for Art Administration of the SRGF on December 6, 1960. The acclaimed educator and museum administrator brought a new concept of operation to the SRGF and the SRGM, where he was responsible for general policy and development of the museum during his tenure. Appointment of HHA to this newly created position assured an intimate relationship between the SRGF Board of Trustees and museum administration, as Arnason was an active member of both.

At the time of his appointment to the position of Vice President for Art Administration of the SRGF, President of the Foundation, Harry F. Guggenheim (HFG) stated that his goal was "to perfect an organization both to carry out its trust to the benefactor and the public, and also to assure professional excellence in its programs and direction; it is our belief that one of the best ways to achieve this is to include among trustees a number of highly trained professionals in the field of art." As a member of the SRGF Board of Trustees, HHA worked alongside distinguished individuals in the curatorial and art world, including Carl Zigrosser, vice director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a veteran in his field, and Daniel Catton Rich, director of the Worcester Art Museum, among others. Emphasis was placed on appointing those "devoted to, knowledgeable, and experienced in the art world."

HHA's role as part of the Board was to ensure proper understanding between trustees, policy makers, and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (SRGM) administration. During his leadership as vice president of art administration, HHA presided over regular meetings of the Art and Museum Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees specifically responsible for formulating museum policy. He encouraged the establishment of SRGF's Society of Associates, which had membership of almost 500 active supporters of the SRGM at the time of his retirement. He also started auditorium programs in poetry and music, and established the SRGM's lecture series, which by 1969 had been in its ninth year. The contributions made on behalf of HHA's tenure at the SRGF have placed his name among the Foundation's most distinguished pioneers.

The retirement of HHA as vice president for art administration of the SRGF was announced by HFG on January 10, 1969. After his retirement, HHA continued to serve as a consultant and a trustee for the SRGF.

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