Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), 1957-1960

The “Professional affiliations” series documents Turner’s involvement with a variety of professional organizations. He was a leader in each, often holding official positions, like President, or sat on the board.

The “American Association of Museums (AAM)” sub-series contains the records generated by Turner’s membership in the AAM. Turner was very active within the organization and served on both the Executive and Nominating Committees. The material in this sub-series includes meeting minutes and agendas, committee records, correspondence, and reports. Of particular interest are the accreditation records generated from institution evaluations. The materials date from 1965 to 1977, and are arranged chronologically.

The “Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD)” sub-series chronicles Turner’s involvement with the organization, including his tenure as Vice President (1974-1975) and President (1975-1976.) Turner also chaired the Professional Practices Committee for many years. The material housed here include meeting minutes, committee reports, correspondence and memoranda, and documentation from controversial issues; for example, the debate over charging museum admission. This sub-series also contains early AAMD meeting minutes and agenda gathered by Calvin Hathaway, the PMA’s Curator of Decorative Arts from 1930 to 1933 and 1963 to 1973. The material dates from 1952 to 1977 and is arranged alphabetically, with general files housed first and organized chronologically.

The “American Federation of Arts (AFA)” sub-series contains material generated over the course of Turner’s long involvement with the AFA, including his tenure as trustee and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Policy Review Committee. Material includes correspondence and memoranda exchanged between Turner and his fellow AFA members, as well as reports and report drafts. The material is arranged chronologically and dates from 1966-1977.

The “Associated Council of the Arts (ACA)” sub-series contains records from Turner’s involvement with the ACA, including his three-year term as a board member from 1968 to 1970. The bulk of the material is generated from his tenure on the Board, and includes correspondence, reports and meeting minutes. The material is arranged chronologically and dates from 1968 to 1976.

The “National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) / National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)” sub-series is composed primarily of meeting minutes from the NEA and the National Council on the Arts. The material also reflects Turner’s tenure as Chairman of the Advisory Panel on Museums, a position he held from at least 1971 to 1974. This sub-series also contains records of Philadelphia Museum of Art requests for funding. The material is arranged chronologically, and dates from 1966 to 1977.