Collection Development Policy

While the American Music Research Center contains materials and collections from centuries past, its current collecting focus prioritizes new acquisitions that reflect the expansive history and creative output of underrepresented historic and contemporary American composers, dancers, and performers, as well as music histories outside the Mainland United States.

Specific areas of focus are:

  • Music, dance, and performance practices representing Latinx and Latin American cultures
  • Big Band music representing BIPOC, women, and LGBTQIA+ musicians, composers, and performers 
  • University of Colorado faculty papers focused on the creative output of historical and contemporary BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ composers, women, dancers, and performers
  • Oral histories of BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other underrepresented communities documenting their experiences relating to music, dance, and culture 
  • Materials related to underrepresented musical countercultures of the United States, with a specific emphasis on the Rocky Mountain West.
  • Materials that document spoken word performance as it relates to the Rocky Mountain West

Due to limitations on space and resources, the AMRC cannot commit to adding to existing AMRC collections. Additions will be considered based on the above criteria and following the collection development policies and procedures of the University Libraries’ Rare and Distinctive Collections. 

Additionally, we no longer accept donations of sheet music, LPs or musical instruments.