Pillar 3: Archiving & Documentation

Our Mission:

World Arts West is prioritizing Archiving & Documentation to preserve cultural dance history as we approach 50 years of service in 2028.

Our goal is to digitize our collection and make this dance history part of the cultural record, accessible for research and community use.

We will also continue to document and share stories from the communities we serve.

1985 San Francisco Elaine Dance Festival poster featuring a colorful stylized dancer at the historic Herbst Theatre, June 13–16
Learn more about this program book cover
Poster for the 35th annual San Francisco International Ethnic Dance Festival, June 7–30, 2013, featuring a colorful traditional dancer and the World Arts West logo.
Looking for Program Books, Click Here
Black-and-white contact sheet of ethnic dance performers in traditional costumes, labeled Marty Sohl and featuring Charya Burt and Nanna Candelaria.

The Work:

  • Inventory (and store safely)

  • Organize (and create an accession plan)

  • Digitize (make accessible and backup)

  • Share (create a library/database )

We consider stewarding and sharing our archive essential to the social justice work of preserving cultural wisdom and preventing the erasure of diverse world views and human expressions.

Black-and-white photograph of hula dancers performing with feathered costumes, paddles, and traditional accessories.
Black-and-white theatrical performance featuring two costumed shield-bearing warriors, drummers, and performers on stage
Black-and-white photograph of a dancer performing in a decorated halter top and striped wrap skirt.
Black-and-white photograph of a woman modeling a polka-dot gown with a dramatic trailing train
Black-and-white group photo of women and children in traditional Celtic dance costumes performing together.
Black-and-white photo of a ballet ensemble in flowing white costumes performing synchronized poses on stage.
Two female dancers in ornate traditional Chinese costumes and elaborate headdresses performing a graceful pose
Black-and-white portrait of an Indian classical dancer in an ornate costume, jewelry, and floral headpiece performing a dance pose.
Three costumed dancers perform, with a male dancer in red and white center stage and two women in yellow dresses and feathered headdresses behind him.
Flamenco dancer in a flowing white ruffled dress and lace shawl performing against a black background
Dancer in embroidered traditional West African clothing performing onstage against a dark brown backdrop
Smiling Polynesian dancer in a vibrant feathered costume performing with colorful pom-poms against a black background
Two Polynesian dancers in traditional grass headpieces, wrist garlands, leis, and colorful costumes performing against a dark studio backdrop.
Ballroom dancers performing a dramatic turn, with the woman in a flowing pink dress and the man in a black tailcoat.
Dancer leaping in black and white clothing with a colorful scarf against a black background
Indian classical dancer performing in ornate white and gold traditional costume against a black background
Smiling dancers in colorful traditional folkloric dresses with lace, ribbons, and decorative hair bows at a cultural festival
Woman in colorful feathered headdress and traditional costume posing outdoors by the coast
Woman performing a traditional Indian dance outdoors with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background
Group of young people doing push-ups outdoors on a sunny day
Women in traditional black and red embroidered clothing gathered outdoors
Two performers in traditional Polynesian-inspired clothing demonstrate archery with bows and arrows in a sunny grassy field.
Dancer in a yellow headband, teal top, and checkered skirt leaping across a grassy field near a waterfront bridge
Makeup artist applying eye makeup to a client in a busy beauty salon

Performing Arts Archiving Cohort (PAAC)

World Arts West (WAW) held its inaugural Performing Arts Archiving Cohort (PAAC) meeting in 2023, supported by a Performing Arts Readiness (PAR) Network Grant from Lyrasis.

The cohort brought together cultural performing arts organizations to discuss storage, archiving, and emergency preparedness.

WAW presented a five part Archive Education Series as a resource for cultural arts organizations. Watch the video series on our YouTube Channel.

World Arts West flyer for the Performing Arts Archiving Cohort Archive Education Series, Session 1 on assessing and storing digital and physical archival materials, April 14, 2025, featuring speakers Hallie Chametzky and Tom Clareson.