Papers and artwork from VKhUTEMAS (Higher Artistic-Technical Workshops), a state-sponsored school of design established in Moscow. The materials span virtually the entire existence of VKhUTEMAS, from its founding in 1920 until 1929, a year before it closed. The name of the school was changed to VKhuTEIN (Higher State Artistic and Technical Institute) in 1927. Papers comprise student records, evaluations, and photographs, as well as brochures, administrative records, and school newspapers that document VKhUTEMAS’s innovative curricula. The bulk of the collection contains drawings, paintings, photographs, experimental books and other work created by students and professors.

VKhUTEMAS, a school of design, was established in Moscow in 1920 by state decree. Initially modeled on the experimental Free Workshops (SVOMAS) in Moscow and St. Petersburg, VKhUTEMAS changed its name to Higher State Artistic and Technical Institute, or VKhUTEIN, in 1927-28. Part of the school's mandate was to serve as a specialized educational institution for advanced artistic and technical training, preparing highly qualified master artists for careers in industry or education. A major achievement of VKhUTEMAS was the three-tiered Basic Course. Students first developed studio art techniques, then incorporated them into a specialized industrial/professional education. Augmenting this basic course were chemistry, physics, mathematics, geometry, the theory of shadows, military training, scientific theory of color, a foreign language and the history of art. The archive contains 7 linear feet of material organized in two series. Student diplomas, evaluation reports, identification cards and newspapers comprise Series I., the smaller portion of the archive. Series II., the larger portion of the archive, contains drawings, paintings and prints on paper and canvas, experimental books, photographs, textiles and porcelain, all of which were produced for class assignments. Among these can also be found the work of VKHUTEMAS / VKHUTEIN professors.

circa 7 lin. ft.

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