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Florence Cane Papers

Call Number

MC.323

Date

1920-1963, inclusive

Creator

Cane, Florence, 1882-1952
American Art Therapy Association (Role: Donor)

Extent

3.04 Linear Feet
in 2 manuscript boxes, 1 half manuscript box, 1 small box, 1 small flat box, 1 slide case, and 1 folder in shared flat box

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

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.

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

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please request materials at least two business days prior to your research visit to coordinate access.

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.

Collection processed by

Rachel Searcy and Lauren Stark

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-07-10 10:52:07 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid written in English

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.

Revisions to this Guide

May 20, 2024: Finding aid updated by Lauren Stark to reflect processing of collection.

Repository

New York University Archives

Series I. Teaching and Artwork, 1920-1952, inclusive

Extent

2.60 Linear Feet in 1 manuscript box, 1 half manuscript box, 1 small flat box, 1 slide case, and 1 folder in a shared flat box

Scope and Contents

This series consists of materials created and used by Cane when teaching as well as exhibition catalogues of her own artwork. These materials illustrate her philosophies and teaching methods, especially through the descriptions of the students' artwork. Materials include syllabi, lecture notes, correspondence with students and teaching institutions, photographs of artwork by students, student exhibition catalogues, glass slides (of students' artwork, including that of teachers, and her own artwork), and stamps. Also included are Cane's biography, photographs, and obituary.

Biography and Photographs, circa 1938-1952, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 1 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Exhibitions of Cane's Artwork, 1920-1938, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Lectures and Speeches, 1926-1938, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 3 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Correspondence, 1928-1950, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

New York University School of Education, 1929-1951, inclusive

Clinic for Gifted Children, 1929-1951, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 5 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Box: 5, Folder: 1 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Conditions Governing Access

Photograph in box 5, folder 1 is restricted until 2099.

"A Method of Teaching Creative Art", 1931-1940, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 6 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Westchester Workshop, 1934-1935, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 7 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Florence Cane School of Art, 1935-1937, inclusive

Teachers' Course, 1935-1936, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 8 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Box: 5, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Conditions Governing Access

Photographs in box 5, folder 2 are restricted until 2099.

Brochures and Publicity, 1935-1937, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 9 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Poster -- Cane's Philosophy on Creation, undated, inclusive

Box: Shared University Archives 152, Folder: 12 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Stamps -- Models of Heads and Mouths, undated, inclusive

Box: 4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Glass Slides of Students' Artwork, undated, inclusive

Box: 3 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Box: 6 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Series II. Publications, 1926-1963, inclusive

Extent

1.10 Linear Feet in 2 manuscript boxes and 1 half manuscript box

Scope and Contents

This series contains samples of Cane's published writing in various journals and materials used in her book. All of her writing focuses on teaching art with an emphasis on its therapeutic characteristics and the value of creativity. Materials mostly consist of final publications (most of which are periodicals) and in a few instances, drafts; promotional materials for her book; letters of commendation from readers; and correspondence with publishers. Additionally, there are photographs of artwork used in her published book.

Correspondence, 1948-1952, inclusive

Box: 1, Folder: 10 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"Painting as a Channel for the Subjective Life" -- Survey Graphic, June 1926

Box: 1, Folder: 11 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"Art and the Child's Essential Nature" -- Creative Art, February 1929

Box: 1, Folder: 12 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"The Creative Impulse in Children" -- Revival: The Next Generation -- Edited by Victor Francis Calverton and Samuel Daniel Schmalhausen, 1930

Box: 1, Folder: 13 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"Art and the Child's Essential Nature" -- The Villager, February 1931

Box: 1, Folder: 14 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"What Art May Mean to a Child" -- The Parents' Magazine, November 1935

Box: 1, Folder: 15 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

"The Gifted Child in Art" -- Journal of Educational Sociology, July-October 1936

Box: 2, Folder: 1 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Box: 5, Folder: 3 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Conditions Governing Access

Photographs in box 5, folder 3 are restricted until 2099.

"Possibilities of Integration Through Art" -- Art Education Today, 1937

Box: 2, Folder: 2 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Draft Appendix -- Creative Expression Through Art -- Progressive Education Association, circa 1942

Box: 2, Folder: 3 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Draft Review of Education Through Art by Herbert Read -- The Journal of Educational Sociology, December 1949

Box: 2, Folder: 4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

The Artist in Each of Us, 1938-1963, inclusive

Photographs Used, circa 1938-1951, inclusive

Box: 2, Folder: 5-7 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
Box: 5, Folder: 4 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Conditions Governing Access

Photographs in box 5, folder 4 are restricted until 2099.

Press and Publicity, 1951-1963, inclusive

Box: 2, Folder: 8 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
New York University Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012