Collaborative exhibitions with Special Collections and University Archives
Author: Amy Bishop
What a collaboration might look like:
A successful collaboration would feature SCUA collections materials in the exhibit (or materials that an individual or organization will be donating to SCUA). It could highlight a specific part of campus history, such as an event, an organization, or campus center, or celebrate a milestone. It could showcase agricultural history, women in science, or another area of SCUA collection strength. It might include creative work inspired by SCUA collections materials.
Current and past collaborations have included exhibiting student art pieces inspired by SCUA collections materials, and an exhibit curated by a Public History course, where students conducted research in the University Archives, selected items, and wrote exhibit labels.
Have another idea? We would be happy to discuss it with you.
What we need from you:
We need your time and ideas. If you suggest an exhibition idea, we will rely on you (and your students, staff, organization members, as appropriate) to research, select items, and write labels. SCUA staff would provide guidance, cover costs of printing exhibition labels and document facsimiles, and assist with installation.
Time frame:
It is never too early to contact us with your idea. We ask for a minimum of one semester in advance, although longer planning time may be required for more complex projects. We may not be able to accommodate all ideas due to existing exhibition schedules and staff availability.
Exhibition space:
SCUA has six exhibition cases on the fourth floor of Parks Library and one exhibition case in the library lobby on the first floor just to the east of the Main Desk. Currently, two cases are inside the SCUA Reading Room on the south side of the 4th floor (Room 403), and four cases are outside of the room. One or more cases may be used for an exhibition, depending on availability.
How to contact us:
To pitch an idea, or to ask questions, send an email to SCUA and a staff member will respond.
Please note:
We may not be able to accommodate all requests due to space limitations, time frame, staff availability, or feasibility of the project, but we are eager to discuss your ideas. This process is currently in an experimental stage and will include learning on both sides as to the best way to work together with campus collaborators.
Don’t miss our current collaborative exhibit:
Dimensions of Dialogue, an exhibition featuring accordion books created by students in ArtIS 355x: Letterpress Book Arts, taught by Professor Raluca Iancu. Students were asked to create a dialogue between two accordion books in response to books from Special Collections. The conversation could take place in the binding, through the physical relationship of the accordion form, scale, and materials, or using imagery. The exhibition is in the glass case on the first floor of Parks Library east of the Main Desk.