Mitchell Siporin
Papers
Robert D. Farber
University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis
University Libraries
c. 2005 By Brandeis University Libraries, all rights reserved
Table of Contents
| Creator: |
Mitchell Siporin |
| Title: |
Papers,
1937-1976
|
| Quantity: |
0.33 cu. ft. (1 document box) |
| Repository: |
Brandeis University Libraries |
| Identification: |
MWalB0337A |
| Language: |
English |
Administrative Information
Access:
Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of
Brandeis University Libraries, Robert D. Farber University Archives
and Special Collections Department.
Copyright:
Requests to publish material from the collection should be
directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special
Collections Department.
Processed by:
Jeremy Naidus
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include
the following information: Mitchell Siporin Papers, Robert D. Farber University Archives, Brandeis University
Return to the Table of Contents
Biography
Mitchell Siporin (1910-1976) was the first permanent resident
instructor of Art at Brandeis, and founded the Department of Fine
Arts in 1951, soon after his hiring the same year. He began his
painting career by focusing on labor issues during the Great
Depression, aided by the Works Progress Administration, which
funded several of his frescoes created in Chicago and St. Louis.
Siporin joined the Army Art Corps during World War II, earning a
Guggenheim Fellowship and Prix de Rome for his work during and
after the war.
After Siporin joined the Brandeis faculty, he became the school's
first professor to teach painting, drawing, and Art History. He
was also the founder of the Brandeis Creative Arts Awards
Commission, established in 1956 to honor American artists who had
demonstrated extraordinary achievement. Siporin continued teaching
until his untimely death in 1976.
Return to the Table of Contents
Scope and Content
Files in this collection were created from 1937 through 1976.
Materials include memos, correspondence, programs, catalogs,
photographs, newspaper articles, notes, and memorial material. Most
of these items concern Mitchell Siporin's work as a member of the
Brandeis faculty and his efforts to expand the Fine Arts program.
Others reflect his artistic work outside of the school. Of note is
a program from a retrospective exhibit of Siporin's artistic
accomplishments throughout his career, as well as a draft of a
chapter from Abram Sachar's book, A Host at Last. The chapter
addresses the arts at Brandeis and in the draft, Sachar asks for
Siporin's input.
Return to the Table of Contents
Series Description
Art Exhibitions
Inclusive dates: 1942-1970
Arrangement: Under subseries, then alphabetical
Files in this series include catalogs, photographs, and articles
concerning exhibitions of Siporin's work before and after his
arrival at Brandeis.
Correspondence
Inclusive dates: 1951-1976
Arrangement: Under subseries, then alphabetical
This series contains letters to and from Siporin concerning his
artwork at Brandeis and beyond, as well as university
administration, faculty functions, and personal matters. Included
is correspondence detailing Siporin's efforts to grow and improve
the arts program at Brandeis.
University Administration and Curriculum
Inclusive dates: 1957-1976
Arrangement: Under subseries, then alphabetical
This series contains documents about the graduate classes Siporin
taught at Brandeis. It also includes reports about the faculty
committees he took part in and meetings of the Creative Arts Awards
Commission.
Subject Files
Inclusive dates: 1937-1976
Arrangement: Under subseries, then alphabetical
This series includes newspaper articles written by and about
Siporin, reprints that were gifts from friends, memorials, and a
draft chapter from Abram L. Sachar's book, A Host at Last.
Return to the Table of Contents
Container List
| Art Exhibitions |
| box 1 |
An Exhibit of Contemporary Art, 1952 |
| box 1 |
Exhibition catalogs, 1942-1970 |
| box 1 |
Retrospective, 1976 |
| Correspondence |
| box 1 |
Admissions and class information, 1960-1966 [R] |
| box 1 |
Art acquisitions, 1952-1975 |
| box 1 |
Art projects and exhibitions at Brandeis, 1955-1976 |
| box 1 |
Art projects outside Brandeis, 1958-1976 |
| box 1 |
Bronstein, Leo, 1961 [R] |
| box 1 |
Fine Arts curriculum, 1959 |
| box 1 |
Irving Fine Faculty Memorial, 1965 |
| box 1 |
Irving Fine Faculty Memorial, 1965 [R] |
| box 1 |
Payroll records, 1951-1976 [R] |
| box 1 |
Personal, 1955-1976 |
| box 1 |
Recommendations for hiring faculty, 1958-1976 [R] |
| box 1 |
Recommendations for Siporin's promotion, 1958-1959 [R] |
| box 1 |
School of Creative Arts, 1952-1965 |
| box 1 |
University administration, 1951-1967 |
| University Administration and Curriculum |
| box 1 |
Creative Arts Awards Commission, 1975-1976 |
| box 1 |
Faculty committees, 1957-1962 |
| box 1 |
Graduate classes, 1957-1966 |
| Subject Files |
| box 1 |
Articles by Siporin, 1942-1961 |
| box 1 |
Dennison Table of Abbreviations, 1958 |
| box 1 |
Press clippings, 1953-1957 |
| box 1 |
Reprints inscribed to Siporin, 1959-1965 |
| box 1 |
Reviews, publicity, and prizes, 1937-1976 |
| box 1 |
Sachar, Abram L. --Draft chapter from A Host at Last, 1975 |
Return to the Table of Contents