Notes, correspondence, and administrative documents., ca 1986

The From Scratch records are a collection of administrative and documentary material collected by Phil Dadson relating to the performance group, From Scratch. This is accompanied by a small amount of material relating to Scratch Orchestra (Series 1) and Dadson’s solo projects (Series 10).

Series 2 Administration includes material relating to the funding, logistics, and operations of the group as well as curricula vitae and biographical information about group members.

Series 3 General correspondence contains an assortment of written communication including material relating to funding, sponsorship, and distribution.

From Scratch toured extensively throughout New Zealand and internationally during the 1980s and 1990s, performing at significant international festivals and biennial exhibitions. Series 4 Tours and individual performances contains an assortment of documentation relating to live performances dating from 1978 through to 2003. Material includes budgets and financial documentation, schedules, travel logistics and insurance information, correspondence, ephemera, press releases and clippings.

Series 5 Photographs> contains prints, negatives, contact sheets, and slides documenting performances and rehearsals in addition to promotional shots and snapshots of the group dating from the first Scratch Orchestra performances in 1970 through to 2001. Prints include images by Gilian Bailey, Glenn Jowitt, Alison McLean, John Miller and Wally Floyd. The series also includes a suite of large format prints originally exhibited at the National Art Gallery in 1979.

Series 6 Publications and sound recordings encompasses material relating to the published outputs of the group including LP records, compact discs, video recordings, journal articles and workbooks. The sub-series Graphic design for posters and recordings houses material produced in the draft and development stages of From Scratch ephemera, LP record covers, and compact disc sleeves. Material includes design paste-ups and printing proofs accompanied by notes.

Series 7 Posters includes promotional material advertising From Scratch performances as well as early Scratch Orchestra appearances dating from 1970 through to 1995. Posters have been processed at item level.

Series 8 Press kits and promotional material includes drafts, paste-ups and master copies. Texts are accompanied by photographs and press clippings.

Series 9 Reviews and ephemera consists of newspaper clippings, journal articles, and ephemeral material relating to From Scratch performances and sound recordings.