The Joanna Priestley papers span the years 1981-2009 (bulk 1985-2004) and encompass 1 linear foot. The collection consists of production, television, and subject files. The production files include original hand drawn and digital animation artwork, storyboards, scripts, correspondence with collaborators, production notes, photographs, clippings, reviews, and screening programs for 22 of her films. The television files contain original animation artwork for two segments Priestley created for SESAME STREET (1990). Subject files include biographical material, a professional portfolio, two animation flip books made by Priestley, and programs from retrospectives including those at the Museum of Modern Art and the Walker Art Center.

Joanna Priestley (b. circa 1953) is an independent multi-media animator and teacher who is based in Portland, Oregon. Priestley studied painting and printmaking at Rhode Island School of Design and at UC Berkeley where she received her BA degree. She also attended California Institute of the Arts where she received an MFA degree and the Louis B. Mayer Award. Her background includes coordinator of the Northwest Film and Video Festival, director of Strictly Cinema, editor of "The Animator," and co-director and co-founder of FILM: Women's Film Forum. Her work has received awards in film festivals worldwide, including the National Educational Film Festival, National Independent Film and Video Festival, Canadian International Animation Festival, and the Seoul International Animation Festival. Retrospectives of Priestley's work have been shown on PBS and the BBC and her films are in the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art. Priestley teaches animation workshops worldwide and has served on numerous selections committees and juries including the Student Academy Awards.