Archiving for Artists:
Methods of Naming, Claiming, and Sustaining Your Creative Work
INFO SESSION:
January 1, 2026
7-8 PM
All registrants will receive Zoom recording
NEXT RUN OF COURSE:
4x Mondays, 7-8:45pm in February 2026
Course Description:
Archive: A noun, a verb. What does it actually mean to keep an archive? Is an archive something that happens to you, or something you build? Who is the archive for—who needs it now, and who will discover it in 50 years, and what will they be looking for?
In a moment where artistic censorship is on the rise and institutional support is increasingly limited, building your own archival systems—and maintaining ownership of your data and digital assets—is essential for preserving your practice today, and your legacy tomorrow.
Whether you’re sitting on decades of work or just beginning to gather your materials, this course provides practical, artist-centered approaches for compiling artist archives. We’ll take on discussion, lecture-demos, and case studies to cover both the nuts and bolts of archival practice and medium-specific challenges—while addressing the practical, ethical, and philosophical questions that arise along the way.
You’ll leave the course with a project plan that prioritizes the long-term sustainability of your archival practice, serving your creative workflows and studio admin needs alike.
This course is open to artists in any career stage, working in any media.
Instructor:
AC Diamond, sound/media artist and owner-director of Critical Interval, a boutique archival consultancy and project management firm.
Meets:
Mondays from 7-8:45pm, February 2026
Location:
Offered virtually via Zoom
Price:
Sliding scale, $250. A number of sliding scale spots and full scholarships are available for low-income artists.
Max Enrollment:
10 students
January 1 2026 – Info Session Registration
Course Registration
I am committed to providing sliding scale pricing to meet the needs of potential students coming from a variety of backgrounds and situations. Options are listed below. If you’re seeking a scholarship, skip to the Scholarship Application!
Scholarship Application
Scholarships are first-come, first-served. If you do not receive the scholarship this time, you will be have a chance to apply early for the next cohort. There are 3 scholarship spots for every cohort.