American Historic Art in UK Public Collections

The National Inventory Research Project has been awarded two grants from American foundations to carry out a survey and feasibility study towards the creation of an online inventory of historic American art in UK public collections.

The Terra Foundation for American Art in partnership with the Henry Luce Foundation have given a total of $20,825 towards the project. The two foundations were impressed by the work the National Inventory Research Project has done on its National Inventory of Continental European Paintings and wished to commission a similar project on American art. The foundations have already commissioned a similar survey in France, LaFayette Database of American Art.

The survey will include all oil paintings, drawings, sculptures and decorative art by American artists in the UK's public collections, with a probable cut off date of 1940.

The initial feasibility study has now been carried out. Andrew Greg, project director, is optimistic that the foundations will proceed with commissioning a detailed inventory and website.

For more information contact: Andrew Greg, Director, National Inventory Research Project.