How the Archives are Organized

The New School Archives are divided into six categories, or classifications, representing the historical origins of the university and its academic divisions. The classifications are reflected in the first two letters of collection identifiers, a unique alphanumeric code assigned to every collection in The New School Archives.

Because Parsons School of Design and Mannes School of Music began as independent institutions and only joined The New School in 1970 and 1989, respectively, Archives staff created three sets of collections—New School, Parsons School of Design and Performing Arts—based on these separate histories. Within each division, we divide collections into institutional records and personal papers. 

Six Classifications

New School Institutional Records (NS)

Records documenting the original 1919 institution, focused exclusively on adult education, and the graduate-level New School for Social Research, founded in 1933. Includes departmental, administrative, and faculty records, as well as student work from these academic divisions. Top-level university administration, such as the Office of the President, is included in this category. 

New School Personal Papers (NA)

Collections documenting the lives and activities of individuals associated with The New School. These collections may document some institutional activities but are primarily related to research and study, writing, personal and professional activities, or other aspects of peoples’ lives. The social sciences are well represented in these collections. 

Parsons School of Design Institutional Records (PC)

Records documenting the art and design division of The New School, founded in 1896 as the Chase School of Art. Includes departmental, administrative, and faculty records, as well as student work when multiple students’ work is represented in one collection, such as a departmental transfer.

Kellen Design Archives (KA)

Collections documenting the lives and activities of artists, designers, educators, and others involved in the fields of art and design, including business firms and companies. Includes student work when a collection is only comprised of the work of a single student. Documenting design was the original mission of The New School Archives when the unit was founded in 1994 and named the Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Archives in 1996. Some artwork, primarily numbered prints, is also included in this category.

College of Performing Art Institutional Records (MA)

Records documenting Mannes School of Music, founded in 1916, as well as more historically recent components to the College of Performing Arts, including the School of Jazz and the School of Drama. Includes departmental, administrative, and faculty records, as well as student work in the form of audiovisual recordings and printed programs. The New School Archives became the steward of the archives of Mannes School of Music in 2015. 

College of Performing Arts Personal Papers

Collections documenting the lives and activities of musicians, composers, performers, and others involved in the performing arts. Includes the papers of individuals associated with Mannes School of Music, as alumni, teachers and administrators, but collections predominantly document their external activities.