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Collection Overview
Title: Candor Arts Collection, 2013-2021
ID: 01/01/MSS00104
Primary Creator: Austin, Matt
Other Creators: Bohrer, Melanie Teresa
Extent: 10.0 Cubic Feet. More info below.
Arrangement: Collection arranged by administrative, operational, and digital records. The collection includes a section for oversized items.
Date Acquired: 06/00/2021
Subjects: Artists
Forms of Material: Artists' Books--United States
Languages: English
Abstract
The collection consists of proofs, design mockups, application materials, ephemera, contracts, photo documentation and e-mail correspondence from Candor Arts. Candor Arts was a small Chicago press founded in 2016 by Matt Austin. The press was created to provide an alternative publishing experience for artists that allowed for more collaboration, content control, no upfront costs and an equal split of profits between Candor and the artists.
Scope and Contents of the Materials
Materials about Candor Arts Press publications, collaborations, and commissions (2014-2021); administrative and operational documentation; correspondence; and projects by Candor Arts Press creator, Matt Austin.
Collection Historical Note
Originally developed in L.A. in 2015 by Matt Austin and Ally Hasche, Candor Arts Press began as an online boutique of homemade artist goods. However, after moving to Chicago in 2016, Candor Arts was reincorporated under the co-ownership of Austin and Melanie Teresa Bohrer as a small artist book publishing company. Candor Arts were created to identify exploitative relationships between institutions and the artists they represent. With this mission, the press provided artists an alternative to the self-sacrificing aspects tied to art publishing, such as: needing to contribute significant amounts of funds, relinquishing control of content, censorship, and/or possession of rights, or (most commonly) that the publishing institution will disproportionately profit from the artist’s published work. Between August 2016 and February 2020, Candor Arts press binders Austin, Bohrer, Katie Chung, and Hannah Batsel produced over 5,000 books by hand. Additional assistance in critical times of heavy production included Justin Nalley, Lauren Zollo, Molly Berkson, and Devyn Mañibo. In March of 2020, as the global pandemic impacted business across the United States, the press’ staff shrank to only include Austin and Bohrer with much of the printing being outsourced. On May 18th, 2021, Candor Arts Press closed its on-site location and by September 2021, they had also closed their website.
Subject/Index Terms
Administrative Information
Repository:
Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alternate Extent Statement:
17 boxes
Acquisition Source:
Matthew Austin and Melanie Teresa Bohrer
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Candor Arts Administrative Records, 2015-2020],
[
Series 2: Candor Arts Operational Records, 2014-2021],
[
Series 3: Candor Arts Digital Records, 2014-2021],
[
All]
- Series 1: Candor Arts Administrative Records, 2015-2020
- Sub-series 1: Ephemera and Creator Records
- Box 6
- Folder 1: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 1 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 2: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 2 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 3: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 3 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 4: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 4 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 5: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 5 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 6: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 6 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 7: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 7 of 8, 2015-2021
- Folder 8: "Matt Austin Projects" folder 8 of 8, 2015-2021
- Box 7
- Folder 1: Correspondence
- Folder 2: Matt Austin Projects "21 Days in the Perch Office" Shape of Spilled Milk", 2013-2014
- Folder 3: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 1 of 6
- Folder 4: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 2 of 6
- Folder 5: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 3 of 6
- Folder 6: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 4 of 6
- Folder 7: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 5 of 6
- Folder 8: "Office Items and Ephemera" folder 6 of 6
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Candor Arts Administrative Records, 2015-2020],
[
Series 2: Candor Arts Operational Records, 2014-2021],
[
Series 3: Candor Arts Digital Records, 2014-2021],
[
All]
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