GLAM

Libraries As Strategic Art Venues – GLAM Feature

04.10.18

Viewers visit an exhibit produced by WVU History students at the WVU Downtown Campus Library in 2017. Photo courtesy WVU Libraries.

BY SALLY DESKINS, EXHIBITS & PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WVU LIBRARIES

Since coming on board the West Virginia University Libraries as Exhibits Coordinator, a new position for
WVU Libraries and a truly rare one for libraries in general, I have had a growing interest in the
significance of art programs in libraries, and, further, collaborations between organizations like libraries
and other GLAM institutions (galleries-libraries- archives-museums) to advance the field in general, thus
benefiting us all!

I had the great opportunity to take my research on libraries as strategic art venues to the College Art
Association Conference in Los Angeles in February. This is the largest conference of art professionals in
the world, over four thousand people attend, network and present on topics mostly around the fields of
visual art and art history. I was able to attend partly because of the funding from a Professional
Development grant from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and I was the only person
currently from West Virginia University (and perhaps the state) that attended, according to the
conference app.

Also, perhaps, the only curator from a library—people don’t firstly think of libraries as venues for
art—but in fact they are ripe for this very role. As books and journals become increasingly digital, the
library becomes a new space—still one for study and resources with expert librarians—but also seeing
its place as an incubator for knowledge and ideas expanded into the visual, into the space itself. Not
only is a library a prime location for art in this way but it also offers an accessible and unintimidating
places for people from all walks of life to come across art, when they may not have gone into a museum
or gallery otherwise (though they should because museums and galleries are awesome!)—in this way,
libraries, as transmitters of knowledge, can also be seen as transmitters of creation—an encouraging
gateway to more art and culture.

That is my research on seeing libraries as strategic art venues in a nutshell—and to be sure—many
libraries do! Many states with the Percent for Art program (which West Virginia, unfortunately, does not
have), dedicate a percentage of construction costs for public buildings to commissioned art—and
libraries fall in this category. So, Ohio State University Library has amazing permanent installations by
international artists such as Ann Hamilton; and Los Angeles Public Library by Therman Statom, further
exciting people about the space and art, while also being a destination for art connoisseurs. Other
libraries have artist-in-residence programs, like Madison Public Library, or dedicated arts programs, like
several including WVU, and many lucky enough to have their own art library. Some even boast their
own special gallery space inside the Library, for rotating exhibits.

As the art crowd traditionally sees most value in exhibiting work in museums and galleries, it was
curious from many perspectives.

Beyond the Library, collaborating amongst GLAM organizations is another layer to advancing the field
and getting more people to experience and appreciate art and other cultural effects. I also had the
opportunity to present in collaboration with Eliza Newland, Collections Manager of the Royce and Carol
B. Watts Museum in Morgantown, about collaborating, at the West Virginia Association of Museums
conference last month in Charleston, thanks in part from a scholarship from the WVAM.

Eliza and I discussed the challenges, hesitancies, and benefits to collaborating, including giving examples
and ideas for projects and types of currencies and other fun stuff. We had a great conversation with
those in attendance and hope people got even one idea to take back with them.

My favorite question asked by the audience was “do you ever do projects collaborating with the
public?” Yes indeed, isn’t this the biggest point? To collaborate with organizations, to have art in the
libraries, all of it is to engage the public. Some projects and exhibitions more evident than others; next
month the WVU Libraries opens “Looking at Morgantown,” an exhibit juried by the Art in the Libraries
committee from over 350 submissions from regional professional and amateur photographers, inspired
by Roger Mays’ “Looking at Appalachia” crowd-sourced project currently on view in the Downtown
Campus Library. On display, April 20 thru August 15, 2018, ”Looking at Morgantown” in Downtown
Campus Library will include 24 photographs by 18 area residents giving their impressions of
Morgantown. This exhibit literally involved inviting the public to submit, but it is our hope that the
public is interested and engaged with any and all of our exhibits and programs. Collaborating with GLAM
organizations can encourage this across the board.

That is the point– -the reason we all work for these organizations, to spread the good news of the arts
and culture, right? So why not spread the goodness-whether its small cross-supporting of social media
posts, or larger, substantial support like educational programming, campaigns or volunteer training.
Even just having informal meetings regularly between organizations with shared ideals is a good thing! If
we advance the field, that means we make a difference.

Collaboration, Creativity, and Community Development — An Interview with Christine Kinder

02.27.18

Independence Middle School art students and instructor Carolyn Buzbee painting a mural to promote healthy living.

GLAM interview with Christine Kinder, Raleigh County CED Agent, West Virginia State University/New River Gorge Regional Development Authority

BY SALLY DESKINS, EXHIBITS & PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WVU LIBRARIES

Last month, I introduced the new series I’m curating for the West Virginia Community Development Hub, featuring statewide people who work within galleries, libraries, archives and/or museums and collaborate with outside organizations, to hopefully gain some knowledge, share it with readers and help the state’s arts bloom! I was pleased to receive several ideas and hear from folks open to interviews and excited to discuss their own collaborations.

Christine Kinder was the first to respond as she recognized our own similarities—background in art and public administration with an interest, too, in community development. She shares with us about her diverse work as an Extension Agent with Raleigh County, assisting organizations and government with revitalization, where collaboration plays a key role.

SD: Tell me about your background and why you got into what you do.

CK: My background includes a BA in Anthropology, MA in Curatorial Studies and an MPA (Public Administration). My interests in art, creative thinking, and working with others are combined in community development work. Extension allows me to work in the field and talk to people, learn about others and what my community’s needs are.

SD: Tell me about your organization and your role/what you do.

CK: Through a partnership between WVSU and NRGRDA, I serve as the community development extension agent for Raleigh County. Through this position I work to assist organizations and local government with revitalization efforts.

SD: What are some ways you have or will collaborate with either outside organizations or groups?

CK: Collaboration is central to the projects I work on. An organization I work with closely, the Downtown Beckley Business Association (DBBA), is a great example of an organization using collaborative efforts to accomplish projects. The DBBA has been awarded a Try This WV mini grant for the past two years to encourage a healthy lifestyle through art and promote the Beckley McManus Rail Trail. The DBBA, the City of Beckley, ACTIVE SWV, Independence Middle School art students, Boy Scouts, MACS Toy Fund, YMCA, and volunteers came together to accomplish numerous projects including up-cycled bike art to promote the trail and an active themed mural to inspire a healthy lifestyle. This spring we will begin painting playground games and fun fitness trails on the rail trail to encourage kids and families to utilize the McManus Trail.

SD: Why is collaborating important to you and/or your position, and WV/society moving forward?

CK: Collaboration in community development work is effective in creating partnerships, awareness, building relationships, community pride, sharing limited resources, and creating innovative solutions to issues. Involving youth in community development projects helps instill community pride, awareness, and ownership of where they live. Collaborating with youth is especially important in our state where we struggle to retain our young professionals. Collaboration offers a chance to inspire youth, build awareness and pride about where they live, and give them an opportunity to be a part of positive community change.

SD: Any advice or tips for people wanting to collaborate—how do you approach people about it without knowing them? How do you think up such ideas?

CK: Attending/volunteering at events, attending workshops and conferences, public meetings… Many times I have been approached about projects that were shared through social media or they’ve read a story in the paper or online. I have also reached out to others to learn more about a project they’re working on and how I might be able to apply it to my community. Meeting new people and learning about what they do is the easiest way for a new project idea to form, thinking creatively about how different organizations might benefit from one another. Most communities in Southern WV share the same problems and want to see positive change. With limited resources it only makes sense for people to work together.SD: Hopes for future of WV?

CK: I am hopeful for the future of WV because of the wealth of creativity in our state.

–

If you want to share about your collaboration from a GLAM organization in WV, please get in touch!

Boy Scout Troop 16 painting the bike rims for projects to promote the Beckley McManus Rail Trail.

The completed bike arch on a shelter along the Beckley McManus Rail Trail.

All the projects completed and partners involved with the first Try This grant including 3 bike racks, 15 bike art projects, and a mural.

Public Works crew attaching a bike rim to one of the trail signs to encourage cycling and brighten up the trail.

Looking for examples of WV collaborations among arts + culture organizations and groups

01.09.18

BY SALLY DESKINS, EXHIBITS AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WVU LIBRARIES

As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace and funding for the arts and cultural organizations remains light, collaboration amongst galleries, libraries, archives and museums makes more and more sense.

Sharing resources can bring in more audiences, and lead to a better course for sustainability amongst all, as opposed to seeing each other competitively and bringing each other down.

Each organization has its own mission and scope of media, culture, history, preservation, membership and events, but with varied perspectives come varied skill sets that can be pooled and used to move everyone forward.

My position as Exhibits Coordinator at the WVU Libraries is unique. Some libraries do exhibits programs aimed at sharing their own collections, but most do not extend further into art and exhibit programs that move beyond that scope.

As printed books go to storage to make room for technology, libraries evolve into a new sort of space—still a space for research, learning, study and respite—but also for community engagement and reflection. Having art and exhibits in these publicly used spaces presents a unique opportunity for exhibitor and library guest. The exhibitor’s work is in a neutral space, a space which preserves and protects new ideas and perspectives, and a space where some who wouldn’t normally seek out art and exhibits, will go.

Additionally, as books and other library materials become more digital, exhibits provide a new physical representation that encourages the environment of focus, contemplation and thinking that library users seek.

Working in the Libraries with a background in studio art, art history, and curating presents a unique challenge to me as well—to produce exhibits in a space not originally built for exhibits, and in an environment whose primary use is for quiet study.

How do I encourage viewership, reflection, and even engagement through exhibits?

Such a challenge presents an opportunity to collaborate with other organizations, pooling our knowledge and passion for cultural engagement as well as our resources.

While I’m developing such relations with cultural organizations both on and off campus, through collaboration on programs, events, and idea sharing, I decided to initiate this blog post series to learn and share such collaborations that are happening across the state.

Selfishly, I gain ideas for my own practice, but collaboratively we can all learn from each other on this public platform provided by The Hub.

I am looking to interview folks working in galleries, libraries, archives and museums across West Virginia who do or have collaborated with other organizations, how it has worked, its benefits and challenges, and maybe what they hope or wish for the future of cultural organizations.

If this is you, please get in touch! I will start the series as soon as I find some individuals willing to share. Contact me at sbdeskins@mail.wvu.edu.