As the centerpiece of the DMA’s commitment to art research, the Mildred R. and Frederick M. Mayer Library supports and celebrates research on the DMA's global collection and special exhibitions. With more than 100,000 volumes, including books, journals, artist files, and auction catalogues, it provides a treasure trove of discovery for DMA staff and the public alike.
The DMA Archives was established to preserve and administer the Museum's permanent institutional records and special collections. The archives include exhibition history, past program recordings, institutional records, oral histories, special collections, and more.
The DMA has a rich history of producing dynamic publications that help bring art to life. We’ve published more than 300 exhibition and collection catalogues, several of which can be enjoyed online for free. To view older titles that are no longer available for sale, visit the Mildred R. and Frederick M. Mayer Library.
The DMA views researching provenance—the history of ownership of a work of art—as a critically important part of a museum's responsibility. Knowing the geographic, personal, and commercial route taken by works of art provides valuable insight into how a work of art was created and experienced over time.
The Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History is a center for innovative research and graduate education in the history of art. Research and teaching at the institute focus on artworks held in collections in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. The O’Donnell Institute of Art History is housed in offices at the University of Texas at Dallas and in a research center at the DMA.