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Turner, Evan H.

 Person

Biography

Evan H. Turner (born 1927), an art historian and scholar, was the Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) from 1964 to 1978, leading the Museum through a period of significant growth and transformation. He created new art departments for American and 20th Century Art, and the innovative Department of Urban Outreach (DUO) to promote art across the City of Philadelphia. These progressive activities were matched by a groundbreaking exhibition in 1973, the Marcel Duchamp retrospective, which drew upon significant scholarship and assembled virtually the entire oeuvre of one of the most important artists represented in the Museum. In 1975, Turner led the Museum in a major construction project to install a new climate control system in the building, and in 1976, he helped plan the United States’ Bicentennial and the PMA’s Centennial celebrations. Turner was an active member of a number of professional organizations, as well as a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:

Arnold H. Jolles Records

 Collection
Identifier: JOL
Abstract

As Assistant Director, Jolles' files include records and plans for the Bicentennial, records of the reinstallation in 1975, Corporate and Departmental Committee records and general correspondence. Also, there are eight feet of the Turner Records which deal with the transfer of authority from Turner to Jolles in 1977/1978. The first five series concern Jolles work as Assistant Director for Art, 1970-1977. The second five subseries concern Jolles role as Acting Director, 1977-1979.

Dates: 1968-1979

Directors Exhibition Records

 Collection
Identifier: EXH
Abstract The Directors Exhibition Records of the Philadelphia Museum of Art contain documentation of exhibition activities at the museum. These records are not a comprehensive account of exhibitions held by the museum, but an ongoing file produced by the executive office in the course of administering exhibitions between 1915 and 1981. Museum directors during this period included Edwin AtLee Barber, Langdon Warner, Fiske Kimball, Henri Marceau, Evan Turner, and Jean Sutherland Boggs. Additional...
Dates: 1915-1983

Evan H. Turner Records

 Collection
Identifier: TUR
Abstract Evan H. Turner was an art historian, scholar, and Director of the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) from 1964 to 1978. A mix of correspondence, inter-office memoranda, reports, minutes and other records document Turner’s role in the museum’s growth and transformation during that time, as well as exhibition and event planning, and the daily operations of the museum. The collection also reflects Turner’s work with professional organizations, his efforts to help the city of Philadelphia to plan...
Dates: 1964-1978

George M. Cheston Records

 Collection
Identifier: CHE
Abstract George M. Cheston was President of the museum from 1968 to 1977, a very active period. During his presidency the Student Center, a new restaurant, and new air-conditioning facilities were installed. In addition, preparations for the museum's Centennial took place. Much of Cheston's records are committee reports and minutes, both standing and departmental committees. Records of all the Museum's committees during Cheston's administration are in his files. Also included is an extensive series...
Dates: 1968-1977

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Exhibitions 2
American Revolution Bicentennial, 1976 1
Art museums and community 1
Art--Study and teaching 1
Arts 1