The fonds includes a collection of AIDS activism materials, with an emphasis on its manifestation in Canada's visual art world, through the collections of Mr. John A. Schweitzer and others. Several of the documents have been signed by either John A. Schweitzer or Robert Mapplethorpe. The materials in the collection include posters, press releases, conference programs, exhibition catalogues, exhibition invitations, exhibition ephemera, programs, brochures, tear-sheets, auction catalogues, and reviews.

The fonds reflects the artistic and teaching activities of John A. Schweitzer and includes professional archives as gallerist, curator, critic and collector; teaching records and related course materials; research pertaining to series of art works; the archives of various artists, such as the Hugo McPherson papers, Lise Gervais' materials and Embassy Row residence of Peter Dickinson and his materials; "Outsider" art and research collections; materials related to research and work on human sexuality; and materials pertaining to Canada, Quebec, Montreal and Expo 67 and Montreal Olympics.