Mikel Rouse Deposits Original CD/DVD Masters to The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

On December 19, 2013 Mikel Rouse deposited hundreds of CDs, DVDs and DAT tapes of digital music, films and video to the Mikel Rouse Archive at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. This deposit is part of Phase Two of a Four Phase plan for deposit. The digital material covers works from 1974 to 2013, including rare demo recordings and early experimental projects. Works ranging from Rouse’s collaborations with the John Cage Trust, Merce Cunningham and New World Symphony are included as well as original sketches for such seminal works as Dennis Cleveland, Failing Kansas and Gravity Radio. Many live performance sequences are included, along with new recordings as yet unreleased.

In 2010, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts announced the acquisition of the Mikel Rouse Archive as part of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center’s permanent collection. The archive will include Rouse’s scores, manuscripts, digital media including audio, video, and film material, as well as artwork, sketchbooks, diaries and correspondence.

“The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is honored to have Mikel Rouse’s archive in the collection,” said Jacqueline Z. Davis, Barbara G. and Lawrence A. Fleischman Executive Director for the Performing Arts. “The rich and important work of this wonderfully diverse artist will be available for patrons to study and learn from for years to come.” Speaking with the New York Times, Ms. Davis said, “There’s a lot, but thankfully, not only is he creative, extremely talented and very successful — he’s also organized.” The collection, she explained, is arriving in four waves: analog master tapes; scores, manuscripts and programs; digital media; and, finally, sketchbooks, diaries, contracts, and correspondence.