Remarks and recognitions, 1976-2009, undated

As a frequent guest speaker and recipient of numerous awards, d'Harnoncourt was often called upon to share her thoughts with an audience. Because of the similarity, this series consists of documentation of both.

In recognition of d'Harnoncourt's life's work, a number of cultural and educational institutions and business organizations sought to honor her and usually invited her to participate in the related ceremony or celebration. The "Awards and honors" subseries documents these occasions, from invitation and planning stage to the day of the event and follow-up press coverage. Documentation consists primarily of correspondence and papers d'Harnoncourt drafted for her remarks, as well as ephemera, press clippings and some photographs. Diplomas, oversized certificates and other formal resolutions, and several medals and commemorative bowls are also included.

The second subseries, "Outside lectures," pertains to d'Harnoncourt's speaking engagements at venues other than PMA and on topics not specifically about the Museum. The occasions vary, from club luncheons and award dinners to scholarly lecture discussions and symposia. The degree of detail to d'Harnoncourt's remarks varies. Most often, she would put her thoughts down as notes or outlines. Occasionally, she prepared complete narratives. Other talks are documented solely with her lists of comparative slides. D'Harnoncourt usually wrote these documents by hand using her trademark blue felt pen. Less frequent are typescripts, usually prepared as record copies or at the request of the hosting institution. Documentation also includes correspondence, ephemera and event working papers, such as guest lists.

In both subseries, folder titles begin with event date, followed by name of host institution, event and folder contents. "Remarks" indicates that the folder contains d'Harnoncourt's handwritten (Ams) or typed (Ts) notes. Most of her remarks are in a fairly complete narrative form; a few are mere jottings of ideas. Details of her topics of discussion and types of recognitions are given at the respective subseries levels.