The University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum maintains the permanent collection for the University of South Florida. Established in the early 1960’s with key purchases from the University’s nascent exhibitions program, the collection currently holds over 5,000 objects of contemporary graphics, works on paper, sculpture multiples, and photography. Helping to frame the context of the contemporary within a culturally diversified history of art, several small teaching collections of African and Pre-Colombian Meso-American artifacts are also maintained and developed.

Of significance for the collection, is a substantial representation of Graphicstudio works, including developmental and process documentation materials. The collection holds at least one edition of each print or sculpture multiple that Graphicstudio has editioned. Founded in 1968 as a non-profit, university-based, collaborative art making facility, Graphicstudio at the University of South Florida, remains unique in its commitment to aesthetic and technical research in the visual arts. Leading artists are invited to work in the state-of-the-art studios in collaboration with expert artisans to create works on paper – including lithographs, etchings, photogravures, digital images, books – and sculpture multiples in a variety of materials. Graphicstudio is acclaimed for its research in advanced printing techniques. In recognition of its excellence, The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., maintains the comprehensive archive of Graphicstudio editions.

In the mid 1980’s the Martin S. Ackerman Foundation provided a generous donation of approximately 675 works of art. Comprised mostly of drawings, prints and photographs, this gift compliments the focus of the Contemporary Art Museum’s collection, while strengthening the range of media, styles, and artists represented.

In 1991 Robert Stackhouse chose The University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum to serve as the archive for his print multiples. Stackhouse is a distinguished Alumnus of The University of South Florida and was awarded an honorary doctorate from USF in 2006.

Selections from the Graphicstudio, Ackerman and Stackhouse collections are available by clicking on the “Browse the Collection” button and then selecting the portfolio of interest. The “Search” button allows you to explore the Collection using an advanced search function with multiple criteria.

Copyright and Reproduction

The electronic images available on this site are subject to copyright and may be covered by other restrictions as well. The images are made available to the general public as a representation of USF’s collections. Copy or redistribution in any manner for commercial use is not permitted. Anyone wishing to use any of these images for commercial use, publication, or for any purpose other than personal fair use must first request and receive prior written permission from the University of South Florida Institute for Research in Art. Please contact Associate Director Alexa Favata at 813.974.4324 for more information.

Last updated: 2/15/08