The seeds of the Archive Project began in 2010 when the Dance Heritage Coalition (DHC) conducted an archive assessment for Eiko & Koma. According to the DHC, assessments are a crucial first step to understanding a collection's scope, condition, and needs, with the goal of organizing and protecting the materials for the long run. Eiko & Koma were honored to be selected – along with six other dance companies such as Margaret Jenkins, Joe Goode, and David Gordon – for a more detailed archival inventory to be conducted by the DHC. Begun in early 2012, the inventory will produce comprehensive description of the materials and organization of Eiko & Koma’s records, make preservation recommendations, and remedy immediate needs.

The archive inventory is being conducted by two DHC Fellows: Preservation Technician Patsy Gay and Content Specialist Rosemary Candelario. Patsy recently completed an archival inventory for David Gordon and his Pick Up Performance Co(s)'s archive and assisted with the inventory project at Dance Theatre of Harlem. Rosemary holds a PhD from UCLA in Culture and Performance, where she wrote a dissertation entitled “Eiko & Koma: Choreographing Spaces Apart in Asian America” (2011). She is also the author of “Manifesto for Moving: Eiko & Koma’s Delicious Movement Workshops” (2010). Patsy will create the inventory document, while Rosemary will identify and organize materials.

Rosemary is also working with Eiko to further develop their archive conceptually as well as materially. She will be blogging about the Project along the way, so check the website often to learn about her discoveries, observations and ideas.