ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The Make Up Archive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization dedicated to preserving the unique cultural history of cosmetics as well as providing access to resources that support inner beauty, as it relates to mental health.
Founded by renowned makeup artist and mental health advocate, Erin Parsons, the Beauty Complex’s dual mission is tied directly into her life experience wherein her boundless work with makeup has provided both a mental and physical reprieve.
Inspired by Erin Parsons own personal tragedy, The MUA Foundation’s goal is to offer to victims of violence and abuse at home access to resources that will assist in finding the help needed to end that cycle of violence and begin the healing process. Working primarily through social media initiatives, The MUA Foundation will work jointly with other organizations, to support this side of the foundation’s mission. The MUA Foundation is also home to The Make Up Archive (MUA) and is dedicated to housing, protecting, and preserving one of the world’s most extensive and unique collections of makeup and beauty history. The collections held by The MUA Foundation constitute an unmatched cache of cosmetic materials that not only relate to the history of beauty, but also to fashion, film and art history.
In addition to the benefits of increasing study on this under researched part of material culture, The MUA Foundation will emphasize the link between makeup and personal well being. Makeup is a tool that can connect a diverse range of cultures, races and genders. It is a tool that can allow for people to transform, to learn about themselves and to care for themselves—leading to an improvement in mental well being. Makeup offers inspiration, and studying its history gives great insight into the evolution of human behavior.
With the ultimate goal of creating a comprehensive public facing resource on the history of makeup, visitors to THE MUA FOUNDATION (and its website) will have access to the rare and unparalleled collections of historic makeup and beauty artifacts and ephemera, a research library, as well as a respite to find mental health support through its forthcoming social media campaigns.
THE MAKE UP ARCHIVE COLLECTION
The MUA Foundation is home to The Make Up Archive (MUA), which is an historical cosmetic collection that includes over 3,000 unique items which are continuously being built upon in terms of related research on the individual items, as well as ongoing material acquisition. The collection includes pieces that span decades of historic trends and range in date from the early 1700’s to the 1990’s. The collection also includes an extensive press and publications collection, along with other printed ephemera related to the history of makeup. The collection is currently undergoing item-level cataloging, description and documentation. This data will be integrated into a publicly accessible database, which can be accessed via the Foundation’s in-progress website.
The MUA Foundation’s cosmetic collection is the hallmark of its mission. The creation of a publicly accessible database, which details the collection to the item level, will lead to a resource that is unlike anything that currently exists in this field of study. It will be a truly distinctive information source for the wide and varied audiences who are interested in the history of cosmetics.
NEXT STEPS
Structuring
— The Beauty Complex team currently consists of archivists, makeup artists, photographers and researchers. Next steps include securing a dedicated exhibition space and determining permanent staff and logistics for the site.
Acquisitions
— As a collecting institution, The Make Up Archive collection held at The Beauty Complex is continually being added to, and will always be undergoing research and refinement. In addition to making a publicly accessible website where visitors can explore the entirety of The Make Up Archive’s collection, there are plans to acquire more materials as well as produce related programming and video content which explores the collection.
Fundraising
— Fundraising will take place via donation and grant writing primarily, but also through fundraising events, including but not limited to
: Social media campaigns
: Makeup classes with Erin Parsons
: Makeup convention special events
: Benefit auctions
: Ticketing for the exhibitions
: Material loans for exhibitions
: Benefit gala
: Merchandise
: Affiliations / Networks
— The MUA Foundation has made preliminary contact with other existing collections and academic organizations related to cosmetic history as well as resources and foundations related to mental health support for victims of domestic abuse, and is currently looking for ways to potentially partner with these organizations for special events and fundraising opportunities.
— Collaboration is key to the success of the mental health resource side of the foundations.
Access
— The Beauty Complex is committed to open access to its digital resources, for both inner and outer beauty. THE MUA FOUNDATION also is committed to the creation of a physical space of beauty that can be shared with the public.
TEAM
Erin Parsons, Founder and Director
Cristiano F. Grimaldi, Co-Founder and CEO
Janine Biunno, Chair and Archive Director
Holly McGraw, Archivist
Scott Vander Zee, Graphic Designer