Florence Cane Papers
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Creator
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Abstract
Florence Cane (1882-1952) was an artist, art therapist, author, and the older sister of Margaret Naumburg known for her influential theoretical outlook on the use of art in expressive therapies. Cane's only published book, The Artist in Each of Us (1951), is regarded as one of the first art therapy texts. Cane is also credited for the development of the "scribble technique" (sometimes attributed to her sister Margaret). Cane taught in private practice at Naumburg's The Children's School (later known as the Walden School), and in 1936, became the director of art at the Counseling Center for Gifted Children of the School of Education at New York University. The Florence Cane Papers (dated 1920-1963) consist of materials created and collected by Cane documenting Cane's professional career as an early art therapist and professor at New York University. Materials in this collection include notebooks, photographs, correspondence, publications, glass slides, and stamps.
Biographical Note
Florence Cane (1882-1952) was an artist, art therapist, author, and the older sister of Margaret Naumburg known for her influential theoretical outlook on the use of art in expressive therapies. Cane's only published book, The Artist in Each of Us (1951), is regarded as one of the first art therapy texts. Cane is also credited for the development of the "scribble technique" (sometimes attributed to her sister Margaret). Cane taught in private practice at Naumburg's The Children's School (later known as the Walden School), and in 1936, became the director of art at the Counseling Center for Gifted Children of the School of Education at New York University. She also founded the Florence Cane School of Art in 1934.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into two series, as follows:
Series I. Teaching and Artwork
Series II. Publications
Generally, materials are arranged chronologically within each series.
Scope and Contents
The Florence Cane Papers (dated 1920-1963) consist of materials created and collected by Cane documenting her professional career as an early art therapist, author, artist, and professor at New York University. Materials in this collection include photographs of students' artwork, correspondence, publications, glass slides, and stamps. The bulk of the photographs were included in her book and other published writing in peer-reviewed journals. There is some professional correspondence with publishers, teaching institutions, and individuals; topics include writing reviews for publications, job opportunities, and expressions of gratitude for the publication of her book. Additionally, there are some clippings and promotional materials for her book, school, and her own artwork. Her teaching methods and techniques are expressed not only in the photographs of her students' work, but in her syllabi and lecture notes.
Subjects
Organizations
Conditions Governing Access
Materials in boxes 1-4 are open without restrictions. Box 5 is restricted until 2099 because it contains photographs with personal health information (PHI). All other materials are open without restrictions. University Archives staff will review all requested material for PHI before providing access.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. Unless previously published, all items not created by Florence Cane are restricted for publication, exhibition, or loan until 2099 without explicit permission of the creator.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Florence Cane Papers; MC 323; box number; folder number or item identifier; New York University Archives, New York University.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Cynthia Young (Woodruff) on behalf of the American Art Therapy Association Archives in April 2019. Prior custodial history of this collection is unknown. The accession number associated with this gift is 2019.051.
About this Guide
Processing Information
At the time of accessioning materials were rehoused and described on the collection-level.
During processing, materials were arranged into series. Photographs were housed in acid-free paper sleeves. Pay stubs, a blank tax form, duplicate publications, publications available online, and documents with sensitive information were removed. Photographs of artworks with personal identifying information were removed and replaced with redacted copies. Glass slides with personal identifying information were redacted.