Class Visits, Teaching, and Tours
Avery Drawings & Archives is unable to accommodate new requests for class visits or course-integrated research sessions as this time. Please note: Art Humanities sessions in the department will not be offered for the spring or summer semesters. Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience.
Faculty from Columbia University, Barnard College, and outside institutions are welcome to request class visits, archival instruction (in-person or virtual), and tours to Drawings & Archives.
Please contact us as early as possible, ideally at a minimum of 2-3 weeks before the beginning of the semester, in order to discuss options and scheduling.
Our collections are arranged by creator, usually an architect or firm. These are also searchable in CLIO. Email with any questions about specific topics or themes you'd like to explore.
Overview
Selection from a class on urbanism and New York City.
We work with faculty in preparing single or multiple sessions on a wide range of topics, such as New York City architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright, urbanism, architectural visualization, as well as topics customized to your class or tour group.
We work with faculty in planning research assignments that involve our collections. Faculty interested in assigning their students archival research on our collections are asked to contact us at least 2-3 weeks before the beginning of the semester to discuss options and planning. See more details below.
We can also teach archival research methods in your classroom or virtually via Zoom. Sessions can be tailored to students’ needs, covering topics such as searching for archives, navigating finding aids, and preparing for archival research.
For tour requests from non-academic institutions or organizations, we charge a nominal fee.
Guidelines
Class from Institute of Classical Architecture at Avery Drawings & Archives
Hours
Class visits or tours can be scheduled Monday through Friday from 9.30am to 5pm.
Spaces and capacity
Classes and tours are offered in the Drawings & Archives Reading Room or Avery Seminar Room. Maximum capacity for both spaces is 20. The Avery Seminar Room is equipped with a projector and computer. The Reading Room does not have a projector.
Session topics
We can present on the architects and projects represented in our collections, and discuss topics related to architectural and design history, as well as archives and archival research.
Class Assignments
Faculty interested in giving class assignments involving archival materials from our collections are welcome to contact us for a brief consultation at least 2-3 weeks before the beginning of the semester to discuss options and planning.
Depending on the collection(s) involved, the condition of materials, the size of your class, and Reading Room availability, we may advise scheduling a group visit and/or an information session for the class.
Please note: Reading Room hours for research appointments are Tuesday through Friday, 1pm to 4pm. As our Reading Room is often booked with researchers months in advance, we ask faculty to reach out early so we can do our best to accommodate students working on class assignments.
Class on ornament and organic architecture for University College London.
Participation
Instructors must be present to lead discussions that connect the visit to course topics and themes. Due to the work involved in planning and preparing for class visits, we cannot accommodate sessions that students are not required to attend, such as optional make-up classes.
Materials and handling
Typical selection lists feature 10-20 items. We will work with you to select items and plan their arrangement on the tables. Due to the nature of our collections and to ensure their safety, we typically limit handling of materials during class.
Photographs and permitted items
Photographs may be taken during class and tour visits. Cameras, smartphones, notebooks, sketchbooks, and pencils are permitted. Space will be provided to store all other belongings. Staff will review rules with students before the visit begins.