Bob George, one of the biggest archivists of contemporary music, is facing the daunting task of relocating his extensive collection. The ARChive of Contemporary Music, which houses over three million LPs, 45s, 78s, cassettes, and CDs, holds the title for the largest collection of popular music in the world. Alongside the vast music collection, there are also more than three million photos, videos, DVDs, books, magazines, sheet music, and memorabilia.
However, the archive’s current location in Staatsburg, New York, has become unsuitable due to zoning restrictions. Despite the surrounding streets being named after Beatles’ songs, it is not zoned correctly for the archive’s needs. As a result, Bob George is actively searching for a new location and aims to complete the move by spring. To achieve this, the archive has set a fundraising goal of $10 million and has already received a generous donation of $1 million.
The relocation presents an opportunity for the archive to expand its services. A new facility could include space for concerts and film screenings that would be open to the public. While offers have come from various locations around the world, George hopes to find a location close to train lines heading into New York City.
Bob George’s journey as a contemporary music archivist began with a personal collection of 47,000 records. Over time, his passion for music transformed into the fully-fledged archive that was established on November 24, 1985. The nonprofit organization relies on funds from board members, record sales, benefits, and individual donors. While the anonymous $1 million donation has provided a boost, additional funding is necessary to cover the costs of the relocation.
Despite the digital age, George believes in the importance of preserving physical objects and mechanical playback. The artwork and information found on LPs are irreplaceable. Despite the time-consuming and costly process of curating and digitizing music, the ARChive of Contemporary Music remains dedicated to ensuring the longevity of audio in its original form.
As Bob George embarks on this challenging relocation journey, music enthusiasts around the world eagerly anticipate the archive’s next home, where they can continue to explore the vast world of popular music.
The source of the article is from the blog lokale-komercyjne.pl