Research and teaching are at the core of the mission of the Harvard University Art Museums. Research is conducted at the institution by members of many museum departments. Research by students and scholars internationally is facilitated by providing resources related to HUAM’s art objects and institutional history as well as issues related to art history more generally.

Research Resources

• Curatorial Departments and Study Rooms. To research HUAM's works of art, start with our Collections Online database. Since not all of the museums' collections are catalogued here yet, you may also wish to contact the relevant curatorial department or study room, where works of art and related curatorial files can be examined.
• The Archaeological Exploration of Sardis is a program of excavation and research focused on the site of ancient Sardis, Turkey. The Sardis records from 1958 to the present are housed at HUAM. Mission Statement
• The HUAM Archives contains the records of the institution from 1895 to the present, including correspondence, records of exhibitions, and materials documenting the study and teaching of art history and curatorship. The Archives also contains materials regarding HUAM's works of art and their history. Mission Statement and Collecting Policy
• The Center for the Technical Study of Modern Art holds primary source materials that document the materials and techniques of modern artists. Mission Statement
• The Straus Center for Conservation contains archives and special collections of materials for research including X-radiographs, pigment samples, and painting materials. Mission Statement

A selection of additional research resources is listed here.