The Theatre Museum Archive accepts donations of material from institutions and groups in then performing arts field, organisations, and private individuals. The museum focuses on preserving Finnish professional theatre, dance, opera, circus and performing arts. Donations are accepted based on the museum’s collection policy. The museum cannot accept all offered materials.

Artefact Collections

 

The Theatre Museum accepts object donations related to performing arts. The content of the donation is agreed with the donor. Accepting a donation depends on how well the objects meet the collection criteria: their significance to the history of performing arts and whether there are similar objects in the collection already. Only material related to the activities of Finnish professional groups will be accepted in the collection. Suitable artefacts are included to the museum collections, while the remaining objects will be returned to the donor or added to the educational collection of the museum according to donor’s wishes.

Enquiries regarding donations to object collections:
Curator Sanna Brander
sanna.brander@teatterimuseo.fi
+358 (0)40 1922 307

Archives

The Theater Museum’s archive accepts materials related to the performing arts, primarily professional theater, dance, opera, circus, and performance art in Finland. Donations are always agreed in consultation with the Archivist. We share the recording responsibility with many other cultural heritage organisations, and if  needed we direct the donor to another museum or archive. Rights of use will be agreed as part of the appraisal process.  

Programme Leaflets and Posters

Programme leaflets and posters are accepted as donations from private individuals and theatres/groups. Donated materials are included in the Museum’s Archives. Duplicates or otherwise inadequate materials will be disposed of. We primarily accept materials related to Finnish professional performances. Exceptions to this thumb rule can be considered in the appraisal process.

Photographs

Photographs related to professional performances can be accepted separately from donations from personal or organisational archives. Such donations must be agreed on beforehand, and also possible preparations for the accession need to be discussed.

Private Archives

Archival materials from performing arts professionals can be donated to the Theater Museum’s archives. The archivist will examine the materials and determine whether the museum’s criteria are met. The donor may be directed to another cultural heritage organisation. Should the materials be accepted into the Theatre Museum Archive, the Archivist will guide on the preparations for the accession.

Organisational Archives

The Theater Museum’s archives primarily accept organisational archives related to professional performing arts in Finland. Currently, the Theater Museum’s archives contain old archives from several key organizations in the field, as well as certain theaters and dance groups. However, other memory organisations also hold old archives of theaters and dance groups in particular. The archivist will discuss whether it is best to place the archive in question in the Theatre Museum or in another memory organisation. If the organisational archive is accepted by the Theater Museum, the archivist will review the material in advance and advise on how the transfer should be prepared. The materials should be arranged and catalogued before being transferred to the Archive. It is essential to allow enough time for the donation process and contact us early on.

Enquiries regarding donations of archival materials:
Archivist Eeva Mustonen
eeva.mustonen@teatterimuseo.fi
+358 (0)40 1922 308