Tucson at the Millennium was a photographic celebration of Tucson sponsored by the Tucson Museum of Art, The Tucson Citizen, and Research Corporation. Those involved in the planning were John Schaefer of Research Corp., Don Hatfield of the Citizen, Robert Yassin, director of the Tucson Museum of Art, Harold Jones, Ann Simmons Myers and Jack Dykinga, to name a few. Participants were encouraged to submit photographs that embodied Tucson as it entered the 21st Century. Participants were allowed unlimited submissions as long as photos met the criteria. All entries were received by December 31st, 1999.
Selected images were published in the Tucson Citizen or on their website with the individual photographer credited. When the project was completed, 100 photos were selected that best represented Tucson. These were displayed at a special exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art and published in book form which was marketed to the public. Hundreds of other selected images were also displayed at satellite shows around Tucson at the Center of Creative Photography, Tucson High School, Pima Community College West Campus, and Tohono Chul Park.
The bulk of the collection contains photographs, some on mat board and some in frames. Also included is a small amount of correspondence and other business related materials for Tucson at the Millennium. Photography includes images that reflect the social, cultural, and commercial facets of the community as well as landscapes and sunsets in Tucson, Arizona between 1999- 2000. The documentation series includes files on the selection of images for the exhibit at the Tucson Museum of Art, the book, and the digital collection/IPTC created by the Tucson Citizen. The photograph series includes images submitted for the Tucson at the Millennium contest. The images are arranged by size and organized alphabetically by photographer’s last name. The majority of prints include identifying numbers created by the committee.