Discovery
Database of important archives in Britain, compiled by the National Archives. Not restricted to art, but covers all subjects. Includes a very large collection of brief research guides, including a guide to researching art and artists in archives.
Archives Hub
Lists archives in UK universities and colleges. A useful back-up to Discovery.
AIM25
Archives in London and the M25 area.
Archives of American Art
Very large collection curated by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Original items can only be consulted in Washington. Microfilm copies, when available, can be viewed at designated centres in five other US cities. The collection encompasses the papers of artists, dealers, curators, plus the records of museums, galleries, schools, and associations, and audiovisual material. Some material is freely available online in the Digital Collections, and transcripts of oral history interviews are also accessible via the website.
Archives Directory for the History of Collecting in America
Guide to archives in the USA containing material about American collectors, dealers, agents and advisors. The great majority of these collections are in the USA, with a handful in Canada and Europe. Even if you cannot visit the archives, the directory contains useful information about its subjects. Compiled by the Center for the History of Collecting at the Frick Reference Library.