Founded in 1966, the Association for Recorded Sound Collections, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings—in all genres of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. ARSC is unique in bringing together private individuals and institutional professionals. Archivists, librarians, and curators representing many of the world’s leading au
diovisual repositories participate in ARSC alongside record collectors, record dealers, researchers, historians, discographers, musicians, engineers, producers, reviewers, and broadcasters. ARSC’s vitality springs from more than 1000 knowledgeable, passionate, helpful members who really care about sound recordings. ARSC Annual Conferences encourage open sharing of knowledge through informative presentations, workshops, and panel discussions. Tours, receptions, and special local events heighten the camaraderie that makes ARSC conferences lively and enjoyable. The peer-reviewed ARSC Journal, first published in 1968, presents a wealth of landmark articles, papers, and reviews. The ARSC Newsletter delivers timely announcements, short articles, and a calendar of coming events. Topics explored in ARSC publications, conferences, and the ARSC List e-mail forum include:
- preservation of sound recordings
- access to recordings
- audio conservation and restoration
- biography
- cataloging
- discography
- history and technology
- archival practices
- training and education
- bibliography
- copyright and other intellectual
- property issues. Some eighteen ARSC committees provide organizational administration, conduct specific projects, and address issues benefiting the field of recorded sound. Two longstanding ARSC programs deserve special mention: Grants and Awards. The ARSC Grants Program funds scholarship, publication, and preservation in sound recording fields. The ARSC Awards for Excellence recognize outstanding published research, while the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Award for Distinguished Service recognize individuals who have devoted a life’s work to the field. Please note that ARSC does not buy, sell, or appraise records. ARSC cannot endorse or recommend specific products, services, or suppliers.
