FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is aci and what does ACI do?

The Arizona Costume Institute is a support group of Phoenix Art Museum. It was established in 1966 to promote an appreciation of the Fashion Design department through educational programs and support of the Museum’s rotating fashion exhibitions. It is a membership driven program that hosts activities including fashion and textile programs with guest speakers, visits to private fashion collections and studios, events at local fashion design stores, travel opportunities, luncheons, exhibition receptions. Membership provides an opportunity to share with others an interest in fashion as art.

Phoenix Art Museum’s fashion design collection is one of seven such collections housed in American art museums. ACI’s support of this collection area depends on the interest of dedicated volunteers to help maintain and expand the collection.

Why is this organization named Arizona Costume Institute?

Arizona Costume Institute, or ACI, was founded in 1966 to support Phoenix Art Museum’s fashion collection in the acquisition and preservation of garments and accessories of historical and aesthetic significance. Prior to 1966, the fashion design collection was called Phoenix Art Museum’s Arizona Costume Institute Fashion Collection. In 1966, with the founding of ACI, Phoenix Art Museum changed the department’s name to Fashion Design Collection. Consequently, the support organization does not have the same name as the department it supports.

What is ACI Nouveau?

Arizona Costume Institute Nouveau is a level of membership specifically for those 35 years or younger. Nouveau promotes fashion education while fostering camaraderie in a professional networking environment. 

What can be found in the Fashion Design Gallery?

Exhibitions that focus on clothing, both as an art form and cultural phenomenon are rotated regularly in the Kelly Ellman Fashion Design Gallery. Exhibitions underscore the significance of fashion as it relates to social and economic history.

The Collection is comprised of more than 8,000 American and European garments, shoes and accessories. It houses important fashions from the 18th century to modern day. Notable for its range and comprehensiveness, the collection features significant works from iconic fashion designers including Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Christian Dior, Claire McCardell, Fortuny, Giorgio di Sant Angelo, Halston, Ralph Rucci, Iris van Herpen, Yohji Yamamoto and Schiaparelli among many others across the history of fashion.

The Collection’s steady growth is made possible by gifts from private donors and purchases funded by the Arizona Costume Institute.

Why does the kelly ellman Fashion Design Gallery have a number of openings each year and no other Museum department does?

Fashion and textiles cannot be displayed for an extended length of time without risking damage to the items. To raise the level of public awareness and inform our members of exhibition changes, ACI has customarily assisted in opening receptions.  

What else is there to learn?

The Astaire Library of Costumes included in the Museum’s Lemon Art Research Library houses many rare books and print materials related to costume and textile.

My late relative had a number of designer dresses. how do i donate them to the museum?

Thank you for considering a tax deductible gift to Phoenix Art Museum’s Fashion Design Collection.

Before a gift is accepted into the Fashion Design Collection, there is a screening process that includes multiple steps to ensure it is an appropriate addition to the curated collection. The Museum must consider the standard of item, the collection’s needs, and the recognizable importance of the piece and designer. The item is presented to a Collections Committee comprising of curators and Members for acceptance into the collection. In this way the department’s resources are best used to focus on items of a truly significant nature.

If you have a complete, unaltered ensemble that is in mint condition, is an iconic work of the designer, or is representative of its time, please submit images of the item and it’s known provenance to support-aci@phxart.org.

What are Museum volunteer discount coupons and how do I earn one?

If you volunteered time to work an ACI event, you accrue volunteer hours. As a “thank you” for your volunteer services, the Museum offers a discount coupon to The Museum Store for every 50 volunteer hours. Volunteer hour sheets are collected and turned in each May. Reporting your volunteer hours is crucial because the Museum needs to identify how many volunteer hours are completed each year as they are used when applying for grants and funding.