The Netherlands Photo Archives Foundation (NFA) has set
itself the task of managing, preserving, rendering accessible
and exploiting the negative archives of photographers born
or resident in the Netherlands. In performing that task
the nfa hopes to promote interest in Dutch photography and
its history. The archives in question contain negatives
of artistic and/or historical value by photographers who
are either deceased or no longer active, and of institutions
which lack proper facilities for managing and/or adequately
exploiting important negative archives.
Careful and critical selection of candidate negative archives is vital in view of the responsibilities and costs involved in managing, conserving and rendering accessible negative archives. As well as artistic considerations, aspects of cultural history play a role too. In all cases an independent advisory committee is consulted as to the desirability of acquiring an archive.
The nfa administers the archives in its care for photographers and their heirs, who retain copyright in principle. The nfa does however have the exclusive right of exploitation. Revenue from exploitation basically accrues to the photographers and their heirs, although the nfa is remunerated for its activities. Conditions for providing photographic material to third parties are based on the usual terms. The guidelines of the Federation of Photographers are adhered to as closely as possible. The Netherlands Photo Archives Foundation aims at optimum quality of new prints, and endeavors to reproduce them in the spirit of the photographer.