RIT Graphic Arts Research Center records
Scope and Contents
The Graphic Arts Research Center (GARC) collection contains brochures and publications produced by GARC, as well as clippings regarding GARC, its programs, and research. The collection also includes a small number of research reports issued by the Center. Materials are roughly arranged as follows: general information, brochures, clippings, events, newsletters, publications, and Graphic Arts Research proposal outline. Events includes documentation for seminars and classes held by GARC. Publications include the journal Photographic Conservation, published by GARC and the Gapzette.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1955-1985
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to researchers.
Biographical / Historical
In 1937, the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI -now Rochester Institute of Technology) absorbed the Empire State School of Printing. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Ellingson, the Institute's president, the School of Printing was transferred to RAMI and its first class was held that autumn. The program was changed to a two year format and the Institute was given complete administrative control. Ellingson had become convinced that there was a strong need for research and development in printing and graphic arts education, and this was a need that RIT could and should fill.
In 1948, a “Proposal for a Newspaper, Printing, and Graphic Arts Research Center” was compiled. Within three years, the Graphic Arts Research Center (GARC) was established in January 1951. Originally part of the Department of Publishing and Printing, the newly independent center brought together scientific and technical personnel and helped RIT to become renowned as a force in graphic arts education and innovation.
Over the next twenty-five years, GARC published works on graphic arts technology, held workshops and seminars, and served as the research arm of the School of Printing with its web offset press laboratory and testing facility for printing equipment, inks, and processes. When the RIT Research Corporation (RITRC) was founded in 1980, several GARC projects were brought under the umbrella of the corporation, and GARC itself was renamed the Technical and Education Center of the Graphic Arts (T&E Center).
Extent
1 Linear Feet (2 Hollinger/Document Boxes)
Language
English
Overview
The Graphic Arts Research Center (GARC) records contains brochures, publications, clippings related to, and produced by GARC, as well as the handwritten outline of the Graphic Arts Research Division from 1947. GARC was a division of the College of Graphic Arts and Photography at RIT.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged chronologically and by series.
Other Finding Aids
In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.
RIT Graphic Arts Research Center records
Processing Information
Finding aid created by Amy Vilz in September 2011.
Subject
- Rochester Institute of Technology. College of Graphic Arts and Photography (Organization)
- Rochester Institute of Technology. College of Imaging Arts and Sciences (Organization)
- Rochester Institute of Technology. Graphic Arts Research Center (Organization)
- Rochester Institute of Technology. School of Printing (Organization)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Title
- RIT Graphic Arts Research Center records
- Status
- Published
- Subtitle
- RIT Archives
- Author
- Amy Vilz
- Date
- 28 September 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the RIT Archives Repository