General Questions
  1. What is WAAND?

    WAAND is an online directory to U.S. archival collections of primary source materials by and about women visual artists and women's arts organizations active in the U.S. at any time from January 1, 1945, to the present.

    WAAND directs users to standardized information about archival collections to support research, comparative analysis, holdings assessment, and collaborative initiatives.

    WAAND was conceived as a means to build a virtual and actual community of interest in contemporary women artists and to inspire the preservation of their papers and records.

    WAAND's initial development (2005-06) was funded by a grant from The Getty.

  2. Is WAAND an archive? Does WAAND have archival holdings?

    WAAND is not an archive and has no collections. It is a Web-based directory designed to serve as a research tool for scholars, students, artists, collecting institutions, and the general public.

  3. Does WAAND list the location of artworks?

    WAAND's primary focus is not in the location of works of art; we list archival papers and records. However, if you have primary source material on a woman artist that reflects on her life and work (such as letters, sketchbooks, resumes, diaries, business records, photographs, and memorabilia), you may also list your holdings of her works of art.

  4. Who is in WAAND?

    WAAND lists the archival holdings of many different kinds of repositories and institutions, large and small; these include museums, libraries, art galleries, historical societies, and arts organizations, as well as archives. Institutions that have listed their collections in WAAND include the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution, Rutgers University Libraries, the New Jersey Historical Society, and the Hatch-Billops Archives of African American Cultural History. Look for the current list on this site under "Participating Archives."

  5. Who is eligible to be included?

    For the purposes of WAAND, an eligible artist is a woman who produces work in the visual arts, who has been or continues to be active in the U.S. at any time from January 1, 1945, to the present, whether or not they are a U.S. citizen. Any individual woman who identifies herself or has identified herself, or has been identified by the arts community as an artist is eligible for inclusion in WAAND. The intention of WAAND is to use the term "visual artist" in the most inclusive manner possible. In addition to all those engaged in traditional two- and three-dimensional studio arts, WAAND includes architects, craftspersons, designers in all media, media artists, performance artists, film makers, and videographers. However, women working in choreography, dance, acting, playwriting and music composition and performance are outside the scope of WAAND.

    In addition to archival repositories, an artist may list her own holdings of primary source materials that are housed in her home, office, or studio, so long as these papers are organized and conserved as a systematic archive and the artist offers access to scholars or researchers of her choice. The term "papers" includes all the materials that reflect on the artist's life and work, such as letters, sketchbooks, diaries, business records, photographs, and memorabilia.

  6. Are there any fees?

    There are no fees of any kind to use or contribute to the directory.

  7. How do I participate?

    To participate in WAAND, fill out our Directory Input Form on this site under the "Participate" menu. The form consists of two parts: one asks for information about the Repository and the other asks for information about the collection/s to be included in WAAND. We have tried to make the WAAND Directory Input Form as user-friendly as possible. The entire Directory Input Form is designed to be completed in about 30 minutes. The Repository portion of the Directory Input Form is designed to be completed in 15 minutes or less and regardless of the number of Collection Records you wish to list with WAAND, you will only need to complete the Repository section one time.

    For a preview of the Directory Input Form questions, please follow this link http://waand.rutgers.edu/participate/help_screens.php

    WAAND staff does not need to view or physically handle archival materials at your institution.

Troubleshooting

  1. I registered to open a Directory Input Form. When can I login?

    Once you register, you can log on immediately.

  2. I registered to open a Directory Input Form but I cannot login. Why?
    <>Your web browser may not be compatible (see below). However, before investigating your browser please make certain that you are entering your login information correctly. Please bear in mind that the login is case sensitive. If you are still unable to login, please contact staff.

  3. I have opened a Directory Input Form but it will not accept my non-standard responses. What do I do next?

    If the DIF will not accept your response, we recommend that you type in a provisional answer - which will enable you to proceed through the form. Make a note of your problem and the number of the question you were attempting to answer and contact staff.

  4. I have opened a DIF but my answers are not showing up. What do I do?

    If your browser is more than 3-4 years old, WAAND may not accurately support it. Please contact staff with the following information:

    • PC or MAC?
    • Name of browser?
    • Browser version?

    To obtain this information, open your Web browser window and go to the HELP menu. Then select the last option on the pulldown HELP menu - About. You will be offered "About Firefox" etc. Click on this for the name and version , it will tell you exactly which version you are using (e.g. "Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.2.").

  5. How can I identify a problem with my Web browser?

    If you are unable to login or the data you have typed is not visible to you, it may be due to an incompatibility of your Web browser. Please see item 4 above.